With SafetyWing Remote Health, ask for pre-approval in your SafetyWing dashboard at least 7 working days before planned treatment. You need pre-approval for anything over USD 500, any hospital stay or surgery, scans such as MRI or CT, all mental health treatment and physiotherapy, and the other treatments listed below. This applies to Community Plan 5.0, plan year from 1 October 2026.
Important: Send your pre-approval request at least 7 working days before your treatment. SafetyWing cannot accept pre-approval requests by email.
When you need SafetyWing pre-approval
Ask SafetyWing for pre-approval before any of these:
any treatment that will cost more than USD 500
all hospital admissions
all hospital or outpatient surgeries
major procedures, such as MRI, CT and PET scans, gastroscopies, colonoscopies and biopsies
physiotherapy, physical and rehabilitation therapy, home health care, or a private nurse or therapist
all mental health treatment
nasal or reconstructive surgery
emergency transport by air ambulance
durable medical equipment or any special medical device
repatriation or cremation of mortal remains
specialised medicines, such as medicines for HIV or AIDS
organ, tissue, bone marrow and stem cell transplants
cancer (oncology) treatment
long-term care or inpatient rehabilitation
dialysis
For mental health, your first consultation does not need pre-approval. After that, ask for pre-approval before you continue treatment. The policy requires pre-approval for every 10 visits, not counting the first consultation.
If your treatment costs less than USD 500 and is not on this list, you do not need pre-approval. You can still ask, to check your cover first.
What happens without pre-approval
Under the SafetyWing Remote Health policy, if you need pre-approval and do not get it, you will have to pay 30% of all covered costs. This applies only to claims above USD 500.
In an emergency, do not wait for pre-approval. Get care first, then call the SafetyWing Remote Health 24/7 line on +1 855 276 8864. Read What to Do in a Medical Emergency (SafetyWing Remote Health).
How to ask for pre-approval
Get these documents from your doctor or hospital: medical notes (your symptoms and when they started, the diagnosis and its date, the doctor's order for the treatment, and any test results), a treatment plan, and a cost estimate.
Log in to your SafetyWing dashboard on the web at safetywing.com/login. Use the web dashboard, not the app, because the app may not support the full request.
Click Get pre-approval or direct billing, below your insurance card.
Fill in the form: the provider's name and contact details, the treatment, the estimated cost and your preferred treatment date.
Upload your documents and submit your request.
Pre-approval requests go through the SafetyWing dashboard only. SafetyWing cannot process them by email.
What happens after you ask
SafetyWing confirms it has your request and tells you about the approval status. SafetyWing may ask for more documents. When your request is approved, you can go ahead with your treatment.
Pre-approval confirms that the treatment is eligible under your SafetyWing policy. It does not guarantee full payment. After your treatment, SafetyWing checks your claim against the final invoice and medical documents.
How SafetyWing direct billing works
With direct billing, SafetyWing pays the doctor or hospital directly, so you do not pay the full cost first. You can ask for direct billing when the estimated cost is USD 250 or more. Ask for it in the same request as your pre-approval, at least 7 working days before your treatment.
Some providers do not accept direct billing. If this happens, you can pay the provider yourself and make a claim, or change to another provider. SafetyWing can suggest providers that are more likely to accept direct billing.
Who to contact
Questions about pre-approval, direct billing or your cover: SafetyWing live chat, in your dashboard or on safetywing.com.
Emergencies: the SafetyWing Remote Health 24/7 line, +1 855 276 8864.
Changes to your cover, such as adding a dependent: contact your HR Manager.
This article is general information, not your full policy. You can see your coverage details in your SafetyWing dashboard.