Without ensuring a patient has __________, efforts to acquire a prior authorization may be futile.

The correct answer is "active benefits," as ensuring that a patient has active benefits is a critical first step in the prior authorization process. Active benefits indicate that the patient’s insurance is currently valid and that they are eligible for coverage. If a patient does not have active benefits, any attempts to obtain prior authorization could be unproductive since the insurance company will not process requests for services or medications that are not covered under an inactive or non-existing policy.

In the context of health care, active benefits not only confirm the existence of insurance coverage but also outline the specific services that are covered. This means health care providers must verify that the patient's insurance plan is active and that it provides coverage for the specific treatment or medication they are seeking prior authorization for.

While the other options such as completed paperwork, insurance coverage, and valid prescriptions are important in the overall process, they cannot substitute the necessity of starting with verified active benefits. Without this confirmation, providers risk investing time and resources in pursuing prior authorization for patients who may not be eligible for their insurance coverage at all.