leave of absence (LOA) days

Period of time (number of days) during which a patient is discharged temporarily from the hospital. This situation can occur when surgery cannot be scheduled right away, a surgical team is not available, or treatment is necessary after diagnostic tests but cannot begin immediately. LOA days also refers to readmission after surgery for follow-up care, when a patient does not need hospital care during the interim period. LOA requires only one bill, and one diagnosis-related group payment is made.

Ledger card

Individual financial account indicating charges, payments, adjustments, and balances owed for services rendered. Also called financial accounting record, financial record , or patient account ledger .