Claimed for L&D denied for no pre-certification

Long story short, I was induced the end of July. My insurance covered my newborn’s care – her bill went from about 12,000 to about 700.

However, I got an EOB from my insurance stating that they will not cover any of my $18000 for L&D because “The reported services require pre certification. Since no record is on file, no payment can be made. (Info about appeals).” Then it says the amount I owe provider broken down into all of the categories (ex – supplies). The remark code used is T6441.

The hospital is in network as is the doctor, the pre authorization tab in my app does not have my procedures listed as needing preauthorization, and everything is closed until Tuesday so I have no one to contact. Was my doctor/hospital supposed to get this? There’s a place on my MyChart portal about her referrals and it was stated they were all denied?

Basically what this boils down to is – WTF is going on??

Also – they have to accept my insurance because they covered my child, correct?

Thank you if you got this far. I feel like I’m always drowning when it comes to health insurance even though I try to cover all basis.