(a) A utilization review entity shall make any current pre-authorization requirements and restrictions readily accessible on its website and in written or electronic form upon request for covered persons, health-care providers, and others with access to the website. Information from a utilization review entity that is not an insurer, health-benefit plan, or health-service corporation shall make this information available at an electronic pre-authorization portal that is accessible in real time. Requirements shall be described in detail but also in clear, easily-understandable language. Clinical criteria shall be described in language easily understandable by a health-care provider practicing in the same clinical area.
(b) If an insurer, health-benefit plan, or health-service corporation intends either to implement a new pre-authorization requirement or restriction, or amend an existing requirement or restriction, they shall ensure that the new or amended requirement is not implemented unless their website has been updated to reflect the new or amended requirement or restriction. This shall not extend to expansion of coverage for new health-care services.
(c) If an insurer, health-benefit plan, or health-service corporation intends either to implement a new pre-authorization requirement or restriction, or amend an existing requirement or restriction, they shall provide covered persons who are currently authorized by the utilization review entity for coverage of the affected health-care service and all contracted health-care providers who provide affected health-care service or services of written notice of the new or amended requirement or amendment no less than 60 days before the requirement or restriction is implemented. Such notice may be delivered electronically or by other means.
(d) Insurers, health-benefit plans, and health-service corporations utilizing pre-authorization shall report de-identified statistics regarding pre-authorization approvals, denials, and appeals to the Delaware Health Information Network in a format and frequency, no less than twice annually, of the Delaware Health Information Network's request. The Department may also request this data at any time. The statistics shall include, but may be expanded upon or further delineated by regulation, categories for all of the following:
(1) For denials, the aggregated reasons for denials such as, but not limited to, medical necessity or incomplete pre-authorization submission.
(2) For appeals:
a. Practitioner specialty;
b. Medication, diagnostic test, or diagnostic procedure;
c. Indication offered;
d. Reason for underlying denial; and
e. Number of denials overturned upon appeal.