What term describes the billing process for patient care provided by clinicians to insurance companies?

The billing process for patient care provided by clinicians to insurance companies is best described as "claims processing." This term refers specifically to the steps involved in submitting a request (claim) to an insurance company for payment of services rendered to patients.

During claims processing, healthcare providers prepare and submit claims using standardized coding systems to ensure all services and treatments are accurately documented. The insurance company then evaluates the claim to determine if the services are covered under the patient's plan, which can include assessing whether the treatment was medically necessary and if eligibility criteria are met.

While "patient accounting," "healthcare billing," and "medical invoicing" are terms related to the overall financial management in healthcare settings, they do not specifically capture the detailed and systematic nature of claims processing. Patient accounting generally refers to the financial operation that includes billing, payments, and patient balances, but it encompasses broader aspects than just dealing with insurance claims. Healthcare billing is a general term that addresses the overall process of requesting payment, while medical invoicing can refer to generating invoices for patient services, without necessarily focusing on the interaction with insurance providers. Claims processing specifically zeroes in on the interaction between providers and insurers regarding reimbursement for provided services.