Humana-Military.com

Appealing a Decision


If you believe a service or claim was improperly denied, in whole or in part, you (or another appropriate party) may file an appeal. An appeal must involve an appealable issue. For example, you have the right to appeal TRICARE decisions regarding the payment of your claims. You also may appeal the denial of a requested authorization of services even though no care has been provided and no claim submitted.

There are some things you may not appeal. For example, you may not appeal the denial of a service from an unauthorized provider.

When services are denied based on a medical necessity or benefit decision, you are notified automatically in writing. The notification will include an explanation of what was denied or why a payment was reduced and the reasoning behind that decision.

Appeal Requirements

Your appeal must meet the requirements listed in Figure 5.1.

Figure 5.1 TRICARE Appeal Requirements
   

1

An appropriate appealing party must submit the appeal. Proper appealing parties include:
  • You, the beneficiary
  • Your custodial parent (if you are a minor) or your guardian
  • A person appointed in writing by you to represent you for the purpose of the appeal
  • An attorney filing on your behalf
  • Non-network participating providers
If a physician or other party is going to submit the appeal, you must complete and sign the Appointment of Representative and Authorization to Disclose Information form. If the appeal is submitted without this form, it will not be processed.

Note: Network providers are not appropriate appealing parties (unless appointed by you in writing).

2

The appeal must be in writing. See the addresses in Figure 5.2 for submitting different types of appeals.

3

The issue in dispute must be an appealable issue. The following are non-appealable issues:
  • Allowable charges
  • Eligibility
  • Denial of nonavailability statements (NAS) for inpatient behavioral health care
  • Denial of services from an authorized provider 
  • Denial of treatment plan when an alternative treatment plan is selected

4

The appeal must be filed in a timely manner. An appeal must be filed within 90 days after the date on the EOB or denial notification letter.

5

There must be an amount in dispute to file an appeal. In an appeal case involving denial of an authorization in advance of receiving the actual services, the amount in dispute is deemed to be the estimated TRICARE-allowable charge for the services requested. There is no minimum disputed amount necessary to request reconsideration.

Appeals should contain the following information:
  • Beneficiary’s name, address, and telephone number
  • Sponsor’s Social Security number (SSN)
  • Beneficiary’s date of birth
  • Beneficiary’s or appealing party’s signature
  A description of the issue or concern must include:
  • The specific issue in dispute
  • A copy of the previous denial determination notice
  • Any appropriate supporting documents
Send your appeal to Humana Military. See Figure 5.2 for details.

Figure 5.2 Regional Appeals Filing Information
       

TRICARE North Region

TRICARE South Region

TRICARE West Region

Claims Appeals:
Health Net Federal Services, Inc.
c/o PGBA LLC/TRICARE
Claims Appeals
P.O. Box 870148
Surfside Beach, SC 29587-9748
Claims Appeals:
TRICARE South Region Appeals
P.O. Box 202002
Florence, SC 29502-2002
Claims Appeals:
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Claims Appeals
P.O. Box 86508
Phoenix, AZ 85080
Claims Appeals Fax:
1-888-458-2554
Prior Authorization Appeals:
Humana Military Healthcare Services
Attn: Clinical Appeals
P.O. Box 740044
Louisville, KY 40201-9973
Prior Authorization Appeals:
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Claims Appeals
P.O. Box 86508
Phoenix, AZ 85080
Prior Authorization Appeals:
Health Net Federal Services, Inc.
c/o PGBA, LLC/TRICARE
Authorization Appeals
P.O. Box 870142
Surfside Beach, SC 29587-9742
Behavioral Health Appeals:
ValueOptions Behavioral Health
Attn: Appeals and Reconsideration
Department
P.O. Box 551138
Jacksonville, FL 32255-1138
         
Prior Authorization Appeals Fax:
1-888-881-3622
                  
 

Back to Top

 
Last Reviewed: September 10, 2009