Number with or without an alpha given to each patient’s health and financial records for internal identification by the provider of health care. See also patient’s account number.

Software program for posting charges for medical services rendered to patients, sending bills, tracking amounts owed, and compiling accounts to show outstanding bills.

Measurement of the intensity of care needed for a patient that is based on six categories from minimal care (I) to intensive care (VI).

1. Hospital employee whose job is to speak on a patient’s behalf and help patients get any information or services they need. 2. Individual who assists patients with understanding the changes being made by the facility to protect their confidential information.

Alphabetic and/or numeric identifier that is used in an internal medical office system or hospital facility to quickly locate a patient’s financial account and medical records.

Field 17 of the Uniform Bill (UB-04) inpatient hospital billing claim form. A two-digit code in this field indicates the patient’s disposition at the ending date of medical service for the period of care reported on the claim in Field 6. Also see patient status and patient status code .

Discount (5% to 20%) offered to self-pay patients if they pay the entire fee, in cash, at the time of service. For Medicare patients, the fee must not be lower than the Medicare fee schedule for the service. Also see discount.

Process of contacting the insurer or managed care plan to verify the patient’s medical services will be covered by the insurance plan, the policy information is accurate, and the policy has not expired. Additional information may be necessary to discover the primary payer for the claim.

Portion of the medical bill that the patient is legally responsible for paying.