administration
Prior Auth (Authorization)
事前承認（Prior Auth） (jizen shōnin)
Prior auth is the shortened term for prior authorization, the insurer approval required before receiving certain medical services or medications. The terms are interchangeable. Without prior auth, the insurer may deny the claim or require the patient to pay full cost. Obtaining prior auth is the provider's responsibility in most cases, though patients can check with their insurer to confirm it has been obtained before a scheduled procedure. Prior auth decisions must meet federally mandated timeframes.
Tracking prior auth status before a scheduled procedure is a key step in preventing unexpected denied claims.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Prior Auth (Authorization) |
| Japanese (日本語) | 事前承認（Prior Auth） |
| Chinese (中文) | 事先授权 |
| Korean (한국어) | 사전 승인 |
| Portuguese | Autorização Prévia |
| Spanish | Autorización Previa |
| Filipino | Prior Auth |
| Thai | การอนุมัติล่วงหน้า |
| Vietnamese | Ủy quyền trước |
| Romanization | jizen shōnin |
Learn more in the guide:
Browse US healthcare guides →Last reviewed: September 2026