Grievances and Appeals
We hope our members will always be happy with us and our network providers. If they are not happy we want to know. NH Healthy Families offers all of our members an internal grievance and appeals process to achieve member satisfaction.
NH Healthy Families values its providers and will not take punitive action, including and up to termination of a provider agreement or other contractual arrangements, for providers who file a grievance, appeal or expected appeal on a member’s behalf.
You can find more information about appeals and grievances by using this Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
Grievance System
The grievance process allows the member, or the member’s authorized representative acting on behalf of the member with the member’s written consent, to file a grievance either orally or in writing. A member grievance is defined as any member expression of dissatisfaction about any matter other than an “adverse action.”
NH Healthy Families shall acknowledge receipt of each grievance in the manner in which is received. Any individuals who make a decision on grievances will not be involved in any previous level of review or decision making. In any case where the reason for the grievance involves clinical issues or relates to denial of expedited resolution of an appeal, NH Healthy Families shall ensure that the decision makers are healthcare professionals with the appropriate clinical expertise in treating the member’s condition or disease. [42 CFR § 438.406] NH Healthy Families values its providers and will not take punitive action, including and up to termination of a provider agreement or other contractual arrangements, for providers who file a grievance on a member’s behalf.
Grievance Resolution Time Frame
Grievance Resolution will occur as expeditiously as the member’s health condition requires, not to exceed 45 calendar days from the date of the initial receipt of the grievance. Expedited grievance reviews will be available for members in situations deemed urgent, such as a denial of an expedited appeal request, and will be resolved within 72 hours.
Medical Necessity Appeals
An appeal is the request for review of a “Notice of Adverse Action.” A “Notice of Adverse Action” is the denial or limited authorization of a requested service, including the type or level of service; the reduction, suspension, or termination of a previously authorized service; the denial, in whole or part of payment for a service excluding technical reasons; the failure to render a decision within the required timeframes; or the denial of a member’s request to exercise his/her right under 42 CFR 438.52(b)(2)(ii) to obtain services outside the NH Healthy Families network. The member will be allowed 45 calendar days from the date of notice of action to file an appeal. The member, the member’s authorized representative, or a provider acting on behalf of the member and with the member’s written consent, to file an appeal of any action.
Appeal Resolution Time Frame
The review may be requested in writing or orally, however oral requests for appeals within the standard timeframe must be resolved within 30 days of receipt of the appeal, with a 14 day extension possible if additional information is required. Members may request that NH Healthy Families review the Notice of Adverse Action to verify if the right decision has been made. Expedited appeals may be filed when either NH Healthy Families or the member’s provider determines that the time expended in a standard resolution could seriously jeopardize the member’s life or health or ability to attain, maintain, or regain maximum function. No punitive action will be taken against a provider that requests an expedited resolution or supports a member’s appeal. In instances where the member’s request for an expedited appeal is denied, the appeal must be transferred to the timeframe for standard resolution of appeals.
Decisions for expedited appeals are issued as expeditiously as the member’s health condition requires, not exceeding 72 hours from the initial receipt of the appeal. NH Healthy Families may extend this timeframe by up to an additional 14 calendar days if the member requests the extension or if NH Healthy Families justifies a need for additional information and how the extension is in the member’s interest. For any extension not requested by the member, NH Healthy Families shall provide written notice to the member of the reason for the delay. NH Healthy Families shall make reasonable efforts to provide the member with prompt verbal notice of any decisions that are not resolved wholly in favor of the member and shall follow-up within two calendar days with a written notice of action.