Patients must obtain ________, or approvals, before receiving certain services or procedures in order to comply with insurance company rules.

Obtaining referrals, or approvals, is a crucial step in the healthcare process as it ensures that the necessary procedures or services are authorized by the patient's insurance company before they are rendered. This requirement is typically in place for specific services, such as specialist consultations or certain diagnostic tests, and helps to manage healthcare costs and ensure that the services are medically necessary.

Referrals serve as a means of communication between the primary care provider and the specialist or service provider, ensuring that the patient receives appropriate care while remaining compliant with the stipulations set forth by their insurance plan. Furthermore, having these approvals can prevent the patient from facing unexpected costs or denied claims after receiving care.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the specific requirements related to healthcare services and insurance protocols. Patents refer to legal rights concerning inventions or processes and have no relevance in a medical context. Safeguards generally pertain to protective measures, which may not directly relate to the approval process for medical services. Leniencies refers to allowances or concessions, which do not specifically address the structured requirement of obtaining prior authorization in the medical insurance landscape.