A managed care 'preauthorization' (precertification) requirement means the insured or provider must:

Explanation

Preauthorization (precertification) requires that the plan review and approve certain non-emergency services, such as a planned hospital stay or a costly procedure, before they are provided, both to confirm medical necessity and to ensure the service will be covered. It is not a requirement to pay the full bill first, to wait a year, or to file a police report. Managed care plans use preauthorization to control costs and steer care to appropriate settings.