# All recipes

URL: https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes

Each recipe starts from a job, not a dataset, and joins the endpoints that answer it. Every
recipe has the same parts: the plan it needs, the calls (curl, TypeScript, Python), a prompt for
an agent with the [MCP server](/mcp) connected, how to read the answer, and what the answer is
not.

- [Verify a provider](https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes/verify-a-provider): NPI, Medicare enrollment, opt-out, OIG exclusions and source conflicts, before you schedule or pay. Free; one call on Pro.
- [Check Medicare coverage](https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes/medicare-coverage): Does a local coverage document list this diagnosis as supporting this code, in this state? Pro.
- [Drug safety status](https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes/drug-safety): NDC to RxNorm, FDA shortage, open recalls and the boxed warning. Free; one call on Pro.
- [Compare payers' prior auth metrics](https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes/payer-prior-auth-metrics): Approval, denial, appeal and turnaround rates as each plan posts them. Builder.
- [Check a prior auth requirement (preview)](https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes/prior-auth-requirements): Does this payer's list require prior authorization for this code, per line of business? Pro, not available yet.
- [Check MA internal criteria (preview)](https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes/ma-internal-criteria): Which services a Medicare Advantage plan covers with its own criteria, with links. Pro, not available yet.
- [Keep your data fresh](https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes/keep-data-fresh): Release list, change feed and signed webhooks, so a local copy or cache never goes stale. Every plan to Pro.
- [Ground an agent](https://docs.healthcare.dev/recipes/ground-an-agent): Connect the MCP server, give the agent a system prompt, and cite meta in every answer. Every plan.

## Before you start

- **A key.** Every call needs one: a Free key from [app.healthcare.dev](https://app.healthcare.dev)
  works for the Free recipes ([Quickstart](/quickstart)). Set it as `HDEV_API_KEY`; the SDKs and
  the local MCP server read it from there.
- **Plans.** Free and Builder can try the features their plan doesn't include: 50 preview calls a month on
  Free, 200 on Builder, per feature ([previews](/plans#previews)). Past that, a call answers `403`
  `plan-upgrade-required` with the plan that does and a one-click `upgrade_url` (the SDKs raise
  `PlanUpgradeRequiredError`).
- **SDKs.** TypeScript: `npm i @healthcare.dev/sdk`. Python: install from the repository's
  `packages/sdk-py` until it is on PyPI ([Python SDK](/guides/python)).
- **Examples** use real codes, NDCs and NPIs; responses are shortened, and the values you get are
  the current release's.

## Ground rules for every recipe

- **Reference data, not advice.** Nothing here is a coverage, credentialing, prior authorization,
  clinical or billing determination. Each recipe says what its answer is not; show that to your
  users with the answer.
- **No PHI.** Send codes, NDCs, NPIs and payer ids, never anything about a patient.
- **Cite.** Every response's `meta` names the source, the release (`data_version`) and the
  license; derived answers also carry `derivation`, `confidence` and `evidence` links
  ([Responses](/responses#derived-answers-derivation)).