US Medical Term · insurance
Letter of Medical Necessity
Carta de necesidad médica
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Letter of Medical Necessity |
| Spanish (Español) | Carta de necesidad médica |
| Chinese (中文) | 醫療必要性信函 |
| Korean (한국어) | 의료 필요성 서한 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thư về sự cần thiết y tế |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Sulat ng medikal na pangangailangan |
| Portuguese (Português) | Carta de necessidade médica |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | จดหมายรับรองความจำเป็นทางการแพทย์ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 医療必要性証明書 |
What it means
A letter of medical necessity is a document written by your physician explaining why a specific treatment, medication, device, or service is medically required for your condition. Insurers often require this letter before approving coverage for services that might otherwise be considered experimental, cosmetic, or not automatically covered under your plan. The letter typically includes your diagnosis, treatment history, the proposed treatment, and why alternatives are insufficient. It is commonly requested for durable medical equipment, off-label drug use, certain therapies, or step therapy exceptions. A strong letter from your doctor significantly improves approval chances.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My doctor will provide a letter of medical necessity — where should it be submitted?
Mi médico proporcionará una carta de necesidad médica — ¿dónde debe enviarse?
Can you tell me what information the letter of medical necessity must include?
¿Pueden decirme qué información debe incluir la carta de necesidad médica?
The letter of medical necessity was submitted — can you confirm you received it?
La carta de necesidad médica fue enviada — ¿pueden confirmar que la recibieron?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026