Dealing with Medi-Cal: What is a TAR and how do I get one?
A treatment authorization request, otherwise known as a TAR, is a form needed to pre-approve funding for treatment, including Medi-Cal approved assistive technology. The TAR is submitted for Medi-Cal approval before the order is placed and provides medical justification for the AT requested. In almost all cases, to be approved by Medi-Cal, TARs must include a medical assessment or physician’s prescription including the recipient’s condition and the benefits he/she will realize through the use of an appropriate device. Medi-cal requires TARs for all AT devices costing more than one hundred dollars. Each year consumers are allowed a certain number of requests without TARs for items under $100 (i.e. crutches, canes). Durable medical equipment (DME), such as wheelchairs and walkers, needs to be approved by Medi-Cal and requires a TAR. The form must be completed properly for the order to be processed. Completing a TAR requires teamwork between a physician and a Medi-cal approved DME vendor.
