When do I need pre-approval?
Some treatments require pre-approval before you receive care.
If your planned treatment costs more than $500 USD, you must submit a pre-approval request in advance.
Pre-approval is also required for certain treatments regardless of cost, including:
Mental health treatments
Physiotherapy or physical therapy
If your treatment costs less than $500 USD, pre-approval is not required. However, you may still submit a request to confirm coverage before receiving treatment.
Treatments that require pre-approval
Pre-approval is required for:
All hospital admissions
All hospital or outpatient surgeries
Advanced diagnostic procedures such as:
MRI scans
CT scans
PET scans
Gastroscopies
Colonoscopies
Biopsies
Physical or rehabilitative therapy
Home health care or private nursing services
Nasal or reconstructive surgery
Emergency transportation by air ambulance
Durable medical equipment or specialized medical devices
Mental health treatment
Why pre-approval is important
Pre-approval allows our team to review your treatment in advance and confirm whether it is covered under your plan.
If pre-approval is required and not obtained in advance, your reimbursement may be reduced by 30%, in accordance with your policy terms.
When should I request direct billing?
Direct billing allows SafetyWing to pay the medical provider directly, so you do not need to pay the full cost upfront.
Direct billing is typically available for treatments estimated at $250 or more.
For smaller expenses under $250, you may be able to use your SafetyWing payment card instead if your employer has opted into the card program.
You can request direct billing at the same time you submit a pre-approval request.
How to submit a pre-approval or direct billing request
Follow these steps:
Log in to your SafetyWing dashboard at safetywing.com
(Use the web dashboard rather than the mobile app.)Navigate to Pre-Approval or Direct Billing
Complete the request form and include:
Provider name and contact information
Description of the treatment or procedure
Estimated treatment cost
Preferred treatment date
Upload the required documents.
Submit your request.
Important:
Pre-approval and direct billing requests must be submitted through your member dashboard. These requests cannot be processed via email, and the mobile app may not support the full submission process.
Required documents
Before submitting your request, please obtain the following documentation from your treating provider.
Medical notes
Medical notes should include:
Your initial symptoms
Onset date of symptoms
Diagnosis
Date of diagnosis
Medical order for treatment
Exam or lab results (including reports or images)
Any additional information related to the diagnosis
Treatment plan
A detailed treatment plan from your provider.
Estimated costs
A cost estimate or quotation for the planned treatment.
Additional documentation may be requested during the review process to determine whether the treatment is eligible under your plan.
Processing time
Please submit your request at least 7 working days before your treatment date.
This allows our team enough time to review your documents and confirm coverage before your appointment.
What happens in an emergency?
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek treatment immediately.
For emergency hospital admissions, call the emergency helpline:
+1 855 276 8864
The team can arrange a Guarantee of Payment (GOP) for the first 24 hours of treatment.
Please notify SafetyWing within 72 hours of the emergency.
Important note
Pre-approval confirms that the treatment is eligible under your policy terms, but it does not guarantee full reimbursement.
Once treatment is completed, the claim will be reviewed based on the final invoice and medical documentation submitted.