What is the term for the process requiring dentists to submit a plan for treatment exceeding a specified amount?

The correct answer is the term "pre-authorization." Pre-authorization is a critical process in dental insurance plans that requires providers, such as dentists, to submit a treatment plan for approval to the insurer before proceeding with any procedures that exceed a certain cost threshold. This process helps ensure that the proposed treatments are medically necessary and covered under the patient's insurance policy, preventing unexpected expenses for both the patient and the provider.

By obtaining pre-authorization, both the dentist and the patient can have clarity on what will be financially covered, allowing for better financial planning. It also helps to streamline the claims process after the treatment has been rendered, as the insurer has already reviewed and approved the proposed procedures.

Other terms listed may refer to different aspects of treatment approval but do not accurately capture the specific process of requiring a dentist to provide a treatment plan prior to exceeding a certain financial limit. Pre-certification generally relates to more broad forms of medical services across healthcare and may not specifically apply to dental treatments. Pre-operative notification could indicate informing the insurer about upcoming procedures, yet it isn’t focused strictly on the approval of costs. Lastly, prospective treatment planning is more about the planning stages of dental care rather than the approval process tied to cost thresholds.