Q: Is Cigna temporarily waiving the authorization requirement for facility-to-facility transfers?
Yes. Effective December 29, 2021 through March 31, 2022, Cigna will waive the authorization requirement for direct emergent or urgent transfers from an acute inpatient facility to a second acute inpatient facility, skilled nursing facility (SNF), acute rehabilitation facility (AR), or long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) for the expressed purpose of freeing up emergently needed bed space.
This authorization waiver applies to all patients with Cigna commercial and Cigna Medicare Advantage plans.
Additional important notes
The receiving facility (e.g., second acute facility, SNF, AR, or LTACH) is responsible for notifying Cigna of admissions the next business day.
Concurrent review will start the next business day with no retrospective denials.
Coverage reviews for appropriate levels of care and medical necessity still apply to SNF, AR, and LTACH admissions.
For patients already hospitalized, neither Cigna Commercial nor Cigna Medicare Advantage require three days of inpatient care prior to transfer to an SNF. Direct admission to a SNF can occur at any time.
If a hospital does not have an urgent or emergent need to free up bed space, transfers will require precertification.
For routine and non-emergent transfers, precertification is required to ensure coverage.