TRICARE referral process resumes authorization requirement Published June 13, 2013 By 412th Medical Group EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- On April 1, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans began serving as the TRICARE West Region managed care support contractor. Soon after the change to UnitedHealthcare, some beneficiaries and providers experienced service problems related to processing medical referral authorizations. To mitigate those problems and to ensure timely and effective medical care for TRICARE beneficiaries, an exception to policy was made and authorizations were not required for medical referrals issued from April 1 through June 18, 2013. Over the past two months, much effort has been made to resolve referral processing challenges. UnitedHealthcare is confident that the medical referral process has been significantly improved. Consequently, beginning June 19, medical referrals written by the 412th Medical Group providers will once again require an authorization from the new TRICARE managed care support contractor, UnitedHealthcare. The 412th Medical Group stands ready to assist all TRICARE beneficiaries with managing medical referral needs. Please call the 412th Medical Group Referral Management Center at (661) 275-2259 if you need assistance or have any questions.