Prior plan approval (also referred to as prior review, prior authorization, prospective review or certification) is the process by which BCBSNC reviews the provision of certain medical services and medications against healthcare management guidelines prior to the services being provided. Inpatient admissions, services and procedures received on an outpatient basis, such as in a doctor's office, and prescription medications may be subject to prior plan approval. Reviews are done to confirm the following:

• Member eligibility
• Benefit coverage
• Compliance with BCBSNC corporate medical policy regarding medical necessity
• Appropriateness of setting
• Requirements for utilization of in-network and out-of-network facilities and professionals
• Identification of comorbidities and other problems requiring specific discharge needs
• Identification of circumstances that may indicate a referral to concurrent review, discharge services, case management or the Member Health Partnership program

For more information about which services require prior plan approval and instructions on how to request prior review, select from the categories below:

Important note: In case of emergency, prior approval is NOT required. An emergency is an instance in which the absence of medical attention could jeopardize a person's life, health, or ability to regain maximum function, or could subject a person to severe pain.