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Effective 7/1/26: Change in the Utilization Review Agent for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services for STAR, STAR+PLUS and CHIP members

Date: 04/01/26

Effective July 1, 2026, prior authorization request submissions and utilization review for Superior HealthPlan Medicaid STAR, STAR+PLUS (Non-waiver) and CHIP members  for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services will transition from Evolent Specialty Services, Inc.(URA #1777359) to Centene Management Company, LLC (URA #5396).   

Please note there is no change for the prior authorization request and review for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services for Medicaid STAR Health, STAR Kids and STAR+PLUS (Waiver) members, as utilization review is currently, and will continue to be performed by Centene Management Company, LLC on and after July 1, 2026.

Likewise, prior authorization requests and utilization review for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services for Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan and Ambetter Health Solutions Marketplace Plans will continue to be managed by Evolent Specialty Services, Inc. on and after July 1, 2026.

Beginning on July 1, 2026, prior authorization requests for ALL Medicaid and CHIP Superior members for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy services must be submitted through one of the following prior authorization request submission methods to the applicable electronic, phone or fax contacts below:

·         Online:

In addition, new prior authorization requirements are being added for Speech Therapy Evaluations for all Superior Medicaid (STAR, STAR Health, STAR Kids, STAR+PLUS), and CHIP members effective for dates of service on or after August 1, 2026. For complete information and updated clinical policy information relative to medical necessity criteria for speech therapy evaluations please reference Superior’s Effective 8/1/26: New Prior Authorization Requirement for Speech Therapy Evaluations webpost.

Providers should refer to Superior’s Medicaid and CHIP Prior Authorization Pre-Screen Look-up Tool, to verify prior authorization requirements for specific procedure codes.

For any questions, please contact your local Provider Representative. To find their contact information please visit the Find My Provider Representative webpage.