Don’t bill the patient if you missed the required pre-auth, pre-cert

Article Overview

This short practice-management article addresses a common denial and patient-billing problem involving missing pre-authorization or pre-certification when insurance information was not accurately captured. It explains the issue in the context of Medicare Advantage, Medicare HMO, and other health plans, and it highlights general documentation and verification steps that may help offices avoid write-offs and disputes. The piece is aimed at physician practices, billing staff, and compliance-oriented office managers who handle eligibility checks and claim denials.