pre-authorization
noun
pre-au·tho·ri·za·tion
ˌprē-ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 
variants
or
: prior authorization
pre-authorization of credit card purchases
especially
: authorization (as by an insurer) that is required prior to performance of a health care service (such as a surgery or prescription of a drug)
Hospital leaders expect the new managed care companies to demand pre-authorization for many treatments, which could lead to fewer reimbursements and more hospital staff time devoted to hashing out billing differences. —
Tony Leys
Tony Leys Preauthorization requires doctors, like me, to spend time we do not have dealing with insurance companies to get the medicine our patients so desperately need. —Chinazo Cunningham
Chinazo Cunningham Examples of pre-authorization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This slows the speed to pre-authorizations and payments.
—Yusuf Qasim, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The new deal will also include a simplified pre-authorization process for the drugs, and patients will be able to access the drugs for the same price across retail pharmacies, or through Evernorth home delivery service, the company said.
—Bertha Coombs, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Some stations also require specific apps or pre-authorizations, which can be a little confusing at first.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 14 May 2025
One of the biggest culprits in the worsening trend by Medicare Advantage insurers to delay or deny pre-authorizations, and later either underpay for clients’ legitimate medical expenses or refuse to pay altogether, according to hospital president Kurt Barwis.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2025
The law prohibits providers from requiring pre-authorization of credit cards or keeping a patient's card on file.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
To manage the hefty price tag, insurers have implemented extensive pre-authorization procedures.
—Jason Kane, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025
In addition to the new EES system, the European Union will also plan to implement a pre-authorization system next year called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (or ETIAS).
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024
Zoom out: The Biden administration and some lawmakers have ramped up scrutiny of Medicare Advantage plans over the past couple years following reports of predatory marketing schemes, overuse of pre-authorization requirements and data suggesting the plans are overpaid.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 30 July 2024
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Yusuf Qasim, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The new deal will also include a simplified pre-authorization process for the drugs, and patients will be able to access the drugs for the same price across retail pharmacies, or through Evernorth home delivery service, the company said.
—Bertha Coombs, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Some stations also require specific apps or pre-authorizations, which can be a little confusing at first.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 14 May 2025
One of the biggest culprits in the worsening trend by Medicare Advantage insurers to delay or deny pre-authorizations, and later either underpay for clients’ legitimate medical expenses or refuse to pay altogether, according to hospital president Kurt Barwis.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2025
The law prohibits providers from requiring pre-authorization of credit cards or keeping a patient's card on file.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
To manage the hefty price tag, insurers have implemented extensive pre-authorization procedures.
—Jason Kane, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025
In addition to the new EES system, the European Union will also plan to implement a pre-authorization system next year called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (or ETIAS).
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024
Zoom out: The Biden administration and some lawmakers have ramped up scrutiny of Medicare Advantage plans over the past couple years following reports of predatory marketing schemes, overuse of pre-authorization requirements and data suggesting the plans are overpaid.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 30 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pre-authorization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pre-authorization. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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