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BT202096: IHCP COVID-19 Response: IHCP clarifies policy on PA process for acute care hospital inpatient admissions
Act
immediately
Effective date
Aug 27, 2020
Identified
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
IHCP clarifies that Medicaid managed care entities must automatically approve initial prior authorizations for acute care hospital inpatient admissions for up to 60 days without requiring clinical documentation, as part of their COVID-19 response. MCEs can only request clinical information for care coordination and discharge planning during the initial authorization period.
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What to do
immediately · 3 steps
01Billing team should verify that inpatient admissions for IHCP Medicaid managed care patients receive automatic prior authorization approval for up to 60 days.
02Update workflows to ensure initial authorizations are processed without clinical documentation requirements.
03For continuation beyond initial authorization, prepare to provide clinical information and medical necessity documentation.
Original notice
BT202096: IHCP COVID-19 Response: IHCP clarifies policy on PA process for acute care hospital inpatient admissions
in.gov · Always check the source before changing claims.
Related changes
See all Indiana Medicaid (IHCP) changes →BT202030: IHCP temporarily revises PA process for acute care hospital inpatient admissionsHighEffective Apr 1, 2020 · Provider BulletinBT202174: IHCP temporarily reinstates revisions to PA process for acute care hospital non-elective inpatient admissionsHighEffective Aug 30, 2021 · Provider BulletinBrowse every Indiana Medicaid (IHCP) change in the policy list