Yes! Nearly all commercial insurance payor and Medicare advantage programs require preauthorization prior to proceeding with the injections or procedures. We try our very best to get the preauthorization approvals in a timely manner but there are factors that are beyond our control. Most insurance companies have their own internal teams that review these requests on case-by-case basis.

There is a prerequisite checklist that some insurance companies follow, and these can include but not limited to duration of symptoms, failure of other options, lack of response, medications trialed, imaging results (MRIs or X rays). We must document this information in an accurate and thorough manner in your office visit note, hence, the first visit with the provider is a consultation visit to start the insurance authorization and approval process.