Providence Introduces Prior-Authorization Hurdle for Redwood Urgent Care in Humboldt
Providence issued a policy requiring prior authorization for visits to Redwood Urgent Care to be covered under Providence plans or WHA HMO, since Redwood isn’t contracted with Providence. About 1,800 Humboldt County residents are affected. If authorization isn’t obtained, patients may pay out-of-pocket or use the more expensive Providence ER. Providence says the change is administrative to control costs and notes that patients still have access to PCPs and telehealth, with other Providence-contracted urgent care options available in-network.
