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Provider Manual

Technology Assessment

Last Updated on June 25, 2025

Technology Assessment is a formal review process of new medical technology and new applications of existing medical technology to ensure that members have equitable access to safe and effective care. You may request review by completing a Technology Assessment Review form.

When assessing new technology, Security Health Plan uses information from the following sources:

  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
  • Symplr Evidence Analysis (previously known as Hayes Medical Technology Assessment)
  • UpToDate
  • Society Clinical Practice guidelines
  • Evidence-Based Criteria & Guidelines (InterQual®)
  • Scientific evidence from Peer-reviewed publications
  • FDA
  • Medical device manufacturers

The following criteria must be met for coverage to be considered:

  • Scientific Evidence: There is sufficient scientific evidence to permit conclusions concerning the effect of the technology on health outcomes, such as length of life, quality of life and/or functional ability. 
  • Sufficient Peer Review and Acceptance: The technology has been sufficiently demonstrated by published peer-reviewed medical journals and studies and is generally accepted by medical practitioners, either in terms of improvement in objective measures of mortality or morbidity, or in the overall quality of life and improve the health status of the members. 
  • Regulatory Approval: The service (e.g., medical device, drug, or biological product) has received final approval from the appropriate government regulatory bodies, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is approved for the specific indication being treated. Interim approvals are not a sufficient basis for evaluation of clinical use.
  • Attainable Outside Investigational Settings: The improvement achieved by the procedure is attainable outside controlled investigational research settings. 
  • Safety: The technology is recognized as safe and effective by the appropriate specialties of the United States medical profession for the clinical indication(s) for which it is intended.
  • Not Primarily for Convenience: The procedure is not primarily for the convenience of the member or physician, but rather clinically appropriate and considered effective for the member’s condition.
  • Coverage of new technology is consistent with insurance industry standards.

The Security Health Plan Utilization Management Work Group is responsible for the final determination of inclusion in the benefit package for health care services, behavioral health, procedures, medical equipment and supplies.