Authorizations

Grab a Bunch
by AJ Riviezzo
When obtaining the authorization for the ablation, we also recommend obtaining the authorization for any additional services you routinely provide. Let us presuppose in your practice you average one phlebectomy for every two ablations and one to two medically necessary sclero procedures for every ablation. When obtaining the authorization for the ablation, we would recommend going forward and obtaining the all of the necessary authorization for the phlebectomy and the sclerotherapy as well.

Using the above assumptions, for two ablations we would also ask for two phlebectomies and four sclerotherapy authorizations; for four ablations, you would request four phlebectomies and eight sclerotherapy authorizations. It is usually much easier to obtain the authorizations for the attendant services up front than after you have initiated treatment.

One thing to remember is that authorizations are typically time sensitive. The authorization for some of these attendant services could expire before you are able to use them. If so, you can typically ask for the authorization termination date to be extended. If not, you can also just request a new authorization. As they have previously authorized the service, it tends to be very easy to obtain a new authorization.

If you never use an authorization, no problem. If you do not have an authorization and need one, big problem.