Medical practices and experienced revenue cycle management providers can make sure to observe patient rights and protections in medical billing. Observing patient rights, including informed consent and participation in billing, can enhance patient satisfaction and increase patient visits. Exercising patient rights and protections can enhance the quality of care and impact improved health outcomes. Here are some rights and responsibilities of patients that are applicable in the medical billing process:
Rights
Billing records in healthcare encompass medical information necessary for effective revenue cycle management. This medical information includes patient information that is necessary as the health insurance landscape continues to evolve. Here are more patient rights to expect in medical billing and collection services:
Right to Service
A patient has the right to admission. The revenue cycle commences from the point of admission. Patients can have a family member or an individual they trust to follow the medical claims and billing processes effectively. A patient has the right to request an explanation of the bill, notwithstanding the payer or the source of payment. The patient must get a rational response to requests regarding the billing of medical services. The patient has the right to be included in billing activities without discrimination.
Right to Information
A patient has the right to know the physician in charge of coordinating the care process. Healthcare organizations can make sure to inform the patient of names and any third-party billing associations who may interact with the patient or access patient information. The healthcare service provider can inform the patient of billed care processes, including diagnosis, the course of treatment, and prognosis. Healthcare providers can make sure to explain the billed care processes in a way that the patient can comprehend.
In case of conflict resolution regarding the claim’s settlement, the patient has the right to participate. Patients have the right to access payment information within a convenient timeframe. Following discharge, a patient has the right to know about any ongoing billing requirements. They have the right to detailed data regarding payments for drugs, physicians, and medical devices.
Right to Decisions
A patient has the right to arrive at decisions concerning the billing of medical services. Healthcare practitioners can make sure the patient has sufficient information regarding a procedure, including billing information. There can be an exception in the case of emergencies where some information, such as the description of processes, can be postponed. The patient holds the right to give consent to proceed with the medication or pursue an alternate course of treatment.
Protections
Revenue cycle management by third-party billing services requires patients to disclose personal information for effective claim processing and other administrative activities. Such personal information can be subjected to protections that cushion the patient from risks of identity theft. Here are more protections patients can expect in the billing process:
Confidentiality of Patient Information
Patients may request restrictions on the disclosure of protected health information that billing services use. Health practitioners are required to protect personal health information. The healthcare principle of fidelity may require practitioners to accommodate reasonable requests without exposing the patient to danger.
Privacy of Patient Information
The HIPAA Privacy Rule under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act controls the handling of protected health information. This rule limits medical information access and offers patients the freedom to determine the use of their medical details. Third-party billing services and healthcare professionals may have to obtain patient consent before they use protected health information.
Outsource Medical Billing Today
The revenue cycle management process may depend on patient information to optimize revenue generated from health services. Billing services and healthcare practitioners can make sure the rights and protections of patients are observed when using patient information to deliver services. Experienced billing companies are familiar with existing and emerging healthcare regulations to achieve legal handling of patient information. Contact experienced medical billing vendors for quality and compliant revenue cycle management services.