US Medical Term · insurance
Authorization
Autorización
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Authorization |
| Spanish (Español) | Autorización |
| Chinese (中文) | 授權 |
| Korean (한국어) | 승인 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Ủy quyền |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Awtorisasyon |
| Portuguese (Português) | Autorização |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การอนุมัติ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 承認 |
What it means
Authorization (also called prior authorization or precertification) is formal approval from your insurance plan before you receive certain medical services, procedures, or medications. Your doctor or hospital typically requests authorization by submitting clinical information to your insurer. Without authorization for services that require it, your plan may deny the claim or pay a reduced amount, leaving you with higher costs. Emergency care generally does not require prior authorization. Common services requiring authorization include specialist visits, surgeries, MRIs, brand-name drugs, and inpatient stays. Always confirm authorization status before a scheduled procedure.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Has authorization been approved for my upcoming MRI?
¿Se ha aprobado la autorización para mi próxima resonancia magnética?
My doctor submitted an authorization request — what is the status?
Mi médico envió una solicitud de autorización — ¿cuál es el estado?
If I don't get prior authorization, will my claim be denied?
Si no obtengo autorización previa, ¿se rechazará mi reclamación?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026