KLAS: Patient Accounting

Patient accounting in healthcare refers to the process of creating, maintaining, and reconciling financial records for patients’ healthcare services. This includes billing, collections, and financial reporting.

The patient accounting process typically involves several steps:

Scheduling and registration: Patients schedule appointments and provide insurance and demographic information during registration.

Charge capture: The healthcare provider captures charges for services provided during the patient visit.

Claim submission: The healthcare provider submits claims to the patient’s insurance provider for reimbursement.

Payment posting: Payments and adjustments are posted to the patient’s account, including any payments from the patient or their insurance provider.

Billing and collections: Patients are billed for any remaining balances on their account, and the healthcare provider may engage in collections efforts for unpaid balances.

Patient accounting is a complex and multi-faceted process that requires coordination between multiple stakeholders, including healthcare providers, patients, and insurance companies. It is also important to maintain compliance with healthcare regulations and billing guidelines.

Patient accounting systems, tools, and software can help automate and streamline the process of patient accounting, making it more efficient and accurate. These systems can integrate with electronic health records (EHRs) and other healthcare IT systems, and can include features such as charge capture, claims management, and patient portals for online payments and account management.

Effective patient accounting is essential for healthcare providers to be able to maintain financial stability and ensure they are reimbursed for the services they provide. It is also important for patients to understand their financial responsibility and the billing process, so they can effectively manage their healthcare costs.