Review of the need for proposed inpatient services prior to time of admission to an institution.
A process by which elective care which is proposed for a patient is reviewed and approved before the patient is admitted to the hospital. When a PAC program is in effect, the care will not be paid for unless the certification is obtained.
Authorization granted to the patient for hospital admission, after a review of the patient’s proposed need for inpatient services. In some settings, if predetermined criteria are not met, then the admission is not allowed.