Final answer:
Medicare requires a prior authorization to be completed by healthcare providers for the approval of medical equipment, ensuring the equipment is necessary and meets coverage criteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a doctor or a member of the doctor's office staff completes a special form to send to Medicare for approval of equipment, this process is known as obtaining a prior authorization. Medicare requires this step to ensure that the requested equipment is medically necessary and meets their coverage criteria before the costs are approved. This process helps to prevent unnecessary expenditures and ensures that the equipment provided aligns with Medicare's guidelines for patient care.