Guide To Authorization In Medical Billing | Enter

Authorization is the process of getting approval for a medical service or procedure before it is given. This is done to ensure that the service or procedure is covered by insurance. Authorization is usually required if you need a complex treatment or prescription. Coverage will not happen without it. That’s why beginning the pre-authorization process early is essential.

But don't worry, Enter.Health is here and can help you with simple and easy Healthcare Billing. Keep reading to learn more. 

Treatments And Drugs That Might Demand Prior Consent?

When starting a new treatment or drug, it is always important to consult with your doctor first. This is to ensure that the medication is right for you and that there are no potential interactions with other medications you are taking. Additionally, your doctor will be able to provide you with information on the proper dosage and any side effects that you may experience. There are some treatments and drugs, however, that require prior consent from your insurance company before they will cover the costs. Some of these treatments and drugs include:

• Cancer treatment
• Expensive surgeries
• HIV/AIDS treatment
• Psychiatric care
• Heart transplant
• Pain management 
• Controversial drugs
• Experimental drugs
• Medical tests like biopsy

It is important to speak with your doctor about any treatments or drugs that you may need so that you can get prior consent from your insurance company if necessary. This will help to ensure that you are able to get the care and treatment that you need in a timely manner.

How Long Does It Take For Pre-Authorization?

It usually takes anywhere from one day to one month for the pre-authorization process to finish. This depends on what kind of service or procedure you need. Some treatments and drugs require prior consent from your insurance company before they will cover the costs. Your doctor can help you figure out if you need prior consent and how to go about getting it.

The time it takes to get prior authorization can vary depending on the insurance company. Some insurance companies are quicker than others at approving or denying claims. If you need prior consent, be sure to ask your doctor how long it will take to get approval from your insurance company.

Importance Of Pre-Authorization

Pre authorization is an essential step in the medical billing process. It ensures that the insurance company will cover the cost of the procedure and that the provider will be reimbursed. Here are some of the key benefits of pre-authorization:

• Helps control costs and manages the possibility of overprescribing.
• Ensures that the service or drug the physician requests is truly medically necessary.
• Ensures that the service isn’t being duplicated, especially in cases where multiple specialists are involved.
• Determines whether the ongoing or recurrent service is actually beneficial to the patient’s care.

To learn more about Prior-authorization benefits, check out this article below.

How Does The Process For Pre-Authorization Work?

If you need to get pre-authorization for a healthcare service, there is a process that you'll need to follow. Here are the steps to obtaining pre-authorization:

Step 1: Contact Your Provider’s Office 

Pre-authorization, also called prior authorization, is required by most insurance companies for certain services, procedures, durable medical equipment (DME), and prescriptions. You will need to contact your provider’s office and provide them with the following information: 

• Your name, date of birth, address, and phone number 
• Insurance plan name and member ID number 
• Name of service/equipment/drug needing pre-authorization 
• Date of service/delivery 
• IDENTIFICATION NUMBER - if known 

Step 2: Fill Out The Paperwork 

After you have contacted the provider’s office, you will need to complete paperwork that includes the following information: 

• Your personal information 
• Insurance plan name and member ID number 
• Date of service/delivery 
• Service/equipment/drug needs prior authorization - include as much detail as possible 

Step 3: Organize Your Paperwork 

Once you have gathered all of the necessary paperwork, you will need to submit it to your insurance company. Ensure all required documentation; otherwise, your request may be denied. To streamline the process, it is a good idea to submit your paperwork electronically. Most insurance companies have an online portal where you can upload your documents. If you are mailing in paper copies, be sure to make copies for your own records.

Step 4: Meet The Deadline 

It is important to submit your pre-authorization request as soon as possible. Depending on your insurance company’s guidelines, you may need to submit the request weeks or even months before the service date. Make sure to check with your provider’s office and insurance company to find out how far in advance you need to submit the request.

Request Denied? Try Again!

If your pre-authorization request is denied, don’t give up! You have the right to appeal the decision. It must be because of some documentation errors or the need of more documents. So, don't freak out and reach out to the person who will solve your problem and get your issue resolved in no time. The providers like Enter.Health are always there to help you at any hour of the day or night.

What Happens If Your Request Is Denied?

If your pre-authorization of medical billing request is denied, you may have to pay the full cost of treatment yourself. There are a few things you can do if this happens:

Appeal The Decision

You will need to gather evidence to support your case and submit it to the insurance company.

Negotiate With The Provider

If you can't get the insurance company to cover the cost, you may be able to negotiate a lower rate with the provider.

Look Into Other Options

There may be other ways to pay for the treatment, such as using a credit card or taking out a loan.

It's important to remember that you have options if your pre-authorization of medical billing request is denied. By appealing the decision or negotiating with the provider, you may be able to get the coverage you need.

Click here to learn How to Get Your Prior Authorization Request Approved

Problems Faced In Pre-Authorization

The pre-Authorization process can be time-consuming and frustrating for both patients and providers. Common problems include:

• Delays in getting prior approval
• Denials of coverage
• Limited information about what is covered
• Unclear guidelines for what documentation is needed
• Difficulty getting in touch with someone at the insurance company

These problems can cause delays in treatment of financial hardship for patients, and added stress for everyone involved. However, there are steps that both patients and providers can take to help streamline the pre-authorization process. By being aware of common problems and taking proactive steps to address them, we can make this process much more efficient and effective.

Practices To Avoid Any Problems In Pre-Authorization Approval

There are several practices that an individual can perform to avoid any problems regarding the pre-authorization process.

Relevant Information Should Be Kept Ready

An individual should keep all relevant information ready when requesting pre-authorization for a medical procedure. This includes copies of your insurance card, identification, and any other documentation that may be needed. It is also important to have a clear understanding of your insurance coverage and what procedures are covered in your health plan. This can help to avoid any delays or denials in the pre-authorization process.

Follow The Treatment Guidelines

Most insurance companies have their own guidelines for different treatments. If your authorization request follows these guidelines, prior approval is more likely to come through sooner. Guidelines can help you understand what information the insurance company needs to approve a treatment.

When you request pre-authorization for a particular medical procedure, make sure to get everything in writing. This includes the name of the person you spoke with, the date of your call, and the details of your conversation. This documentation can be helpful

Payer Criteria Should Be Considered

This is probably the most important aspect of getting pre-auth approval. Every insurance company has different criteria for authorizing a treatment. Make sure you know what these are before you even start the procedure.

Types of payers:

National Payers

These are the biggest insurance companies in the country. They have the most influence on the pre-authorization process. National payers have a different set of criteria than regional payers and local payers

Regional Payers

are smaller insurance companies that operate in specific regions of the country.

Local Payers

These are even smaller insurance companies that only operate in one city or town.

It is important to know which type of payer you are dealing with when requesting prior authorizations. The necessary information is provided on the website of the American medical association. This will help you determine what information you need to provide and how to best navigate the process.

Mundane Procedures Must Have the Same Weightage

It is common for physicians to place more importance on complex procedures and fail to follow up on mundane ones. This often leads to denials because the insurer feels that their interests haven’t been represented well enough. Therefore, all procedures must be given equal importance. Mundane procedures must have the same weightage as complex ones.

Prior Authorization Request

It should be submitted in writing form. This way, there is a physical record of your request. You can also include all the necessary documentation with your written request.

All Documentation Should Be Included

When you submit your prior authorization requests, make sure to include all the relevant documentation. This includes copies of your insurance card, identification, and any other documentation that may be needed.

Be Proactive In Addressing Problems

If you are having trouble getting your pre-authorization request approved, be proactive in addressing the problem. Call your health insurance company and ask to speak with a supervisor. Often, they will be able to help you resolve the issue.

Keep Your Contact With Insurance Company Updated

Lastly, it is important to keep the insurance company in the loop at all times. They need to be updated about any changes in the procedure, cost, etc., so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not to approve it. If you fail to do this, you run the risk of having your request denied.

Conclusion

The process of pre-authorization is one that is important for both healthcare providers and patients. With the help of the pre-authorization of drugs and treatments, patients and providers can save a few headaches. The process of authorization is extremely rigorous and the reasons behind it are patients themself and systematic errors. So, filling out the forms and prior authorization submissions should be done carefully so that no time may be taken for Pre authorization.

By understanding the importance of pre-authorization, as well as how to go about getting prior consent for treatments and drugs, Enter. Health can help ensure that the medical billing process runs smoothly. At Enter Health, we want to make sure that you have everything you need to know about Prior Authorization and Pre-Claim Review Initiatives so that you can avoid any potential problems. If you have any questions or would like more information on Prior authorization in RCM, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are always here to help!