California: Respond quickly to medical records requests

Providers in the California UnitedHealthcare network must respond quickly to medical record requests. This is both a legal and contractual requirement with us.

Here's what you need to know:

• When a member asks for an independent medical review, California law says both UnitedHealthcare and its providers must quickly provide the needed medical records
• Your contract and the UnitedHealthcare Provider Administrative Guide (Chapter 12)open_in_new also require you to submit these records quickly
• Depending on the situation, you must provide the records within 24, 48 or 72 hours

Avoid potential penalties

Providing these records quickly is important for our members and helps avoid penalties. If records are not provided on time, UnitedHealthcare may have to pay penalties to government agencies like the Department of Managed Health Care. If this happens due to delays on your part, we have the right to recoup these penalties from you, as agreed in your contract.

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