Tools
Health Insurance Policy Number & Authorisation Code Checker
Free UK health insurance policy number and pre-authorisation code format checker for Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Cigna and more.
Why you should check a health insurance policy number before you bill
An incorrect membership number or authorisation code can prevent a private medical insurance invoice from being processed correctly.
This checker helps healthcare providers spot common formatting problems before billing, including:
- Missing letters or digits
- Incorrect prefixes
- Missing slashes or hyphens
- Incomplete numbers
- A policy number entered as an authorisation code
- A plan, group or scheme number entered instead of the patient's membership number
Where can I find a health insurance policy or membership number?
The patient's policy or membership number can normally be found on their:
- Physical or digital membership card
- Insurer app or online account
- Policy schedule
- Membership certificate
- Welcome or renewal correspondence
- Previous insurer correspondence
The terminology varies between insurers. The same type of reference may be called a policy number, membership number, member number or plan number. Always confirm that you have collected the patient-specific reference rather than an employer, group or scheme number.
Where can I find a pre-authorisation code?
A pre-authorisation code is normally issued after the insurer has reviewed a proposed treatment or episode of care. The patient may receive it through:
- An authorisation email or letter
- A PDF confirmation
- Their insurer app or online account
- A telephone conversation with the insurer
- The referring clinician or provider
Do not confuse an authorisation code with a claim number, invoice number, procedure code or general enquiry reference.
Common mistakes to check before submitting an insurer invoice
Using the wrong patient reference
A policy, plan, group and membership number can appear on the same document. Make sure the number belongs to the individual patient and is the reference required for billing.
Removing a prefix or separator
Letters such as AXA, AXACLM, APP, BI and INTL can form part of the reference. Slashes and hyphens may also be required.
Confusing similar characters
Check carefully for the letter O and number 0, the letter I and number 1, the letter S and number 5, and the letter B and number 8. Copying the reference from the original document can reduce transcription errors.
Assuming that a format match confirms cover
A correctly formatted number can still be inactive, assigned to another patient or unrelated to the treatment being billed. Confirm eligibility, benefit limits, excesses, treatment dates and authorisation requirements separately.
Frequently asked questions
No. It checks whether the number matches a recognised format. It cannot access insurer membership databases or confirm that a policy exists, remains active or belongs to the patient.
No. A recognised result only means the code has the expected format. It does not confirm which treatment, clinician, location, dates, sessions or fees have been authorised.
No. The number is checked in your browser. It is not sent to Effra or included in the tool's analytics.
Compare the entry with the original document and look for missing letters, digits, prefixes or separators. If the number still appears correct, contact the insurer or claims administrator. Some genuine references fall outside the formats currently documented.
The checker supports Allianz, Bupa, Bupa Global, AXA Health, AXA Global, Aviva, Cigna, WPA, Vitality and Healix.
Sometimes, but not always. Insurers use terms including policy number, membership number, member number and plan number differently. Always use the patient-specific reference requested by the insurer's billing process.
Stop checking insurer billing details one claim at a time
A free format check is useful when you are reviewing an individual patient.
Doing this for a list of patients is not practical. Effra automatically checks insurer billing details across all your PMI patients, helping your team catch issues before they become rejected or unpaid invoices.