preauthorization

American  

[pree-aw-ther-uh-zey-shuhn] / priˌɔ θər əˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, preauthorisation, or pre-authorization

noun

1. an act or instance of authorizing or giving official permission for something in advance, especially of authorizing a charge to an account before supplying goods or services.

   The surgeon can request preauthorization on your behalf to see if your insurance will cover the procedure.

   All car rentals are subject to a $2,500 credit card preauthorization.

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Etymology

Origin of preauthorization

First recorded in 1935–40; pre- ( def. ) + authorization ( def. )

Example Sentences

They pay directly to either bypass complicated or lengthy preauthorization processes, or because their health-insurance plans don’t cover GLP-1 medications for weight loss.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

They also did not present a warrant or any preauthorization allowing for an immigration raid on private property.

From Slate • Oct. 2, 2025

In 2021, for example, Texas lawmakers created a system that exempts physicians from preauthorization if at least 90 percent of their requests for a given service are approved over a six-month period.

From Salon • May 30, 2022

Even getting preauthorization for a service or medication isn’t necessarily enough to prevent a so-called “retrospective denial” later on, as demonstrated by a 2020 Kaiser Health News investigation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2022

Medical care beyond basic preventive care typically need preauthorization.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 23, 2021