Which statement is true regarding hospital preadmission certification for emergency situations?

• A. Notification is required to be given after insured is admitted to the hospital
• B. Notification must be given 24 hours before admission
• C. Notification must be given by the insured's physician only
• D. Notification is not required in emergencies

Answer: (A)

In an emergency, preadmission certification is handled after the patient is admitted. The purpose of preadmission certification is to verify medical necessity and arrange coverage, but emergencies require urgent care that cannot wait for preauthorization, so insurers typically require the hospital or patient to notify them soon after admission within a specified timeframe. That’s why the true statement is that notification is required after the insured is admitted.

The other ideas don’t fit emergency practice: you don’t notify 24 hours before an emergency admission, notification isn’t limited to the insured’s physician only, and there is still a notification requirement in emergencies (just after admission, not before).