Biomaterial Database

The importance of encounter form design. 2009

Susie T Harris, and Robert R Kulesher

Department of Health Services and Information Management, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4353, USA. harrissus@ecu.edu

Encounter forms are a key component in accurate billing and collections. They document services rendered by capturing the diagnosis and procedure codes, which serve as the basis for billing and receipt of payment for services. This article addresses the negative impact of outdated encounter forms on reimbursement and describes current best practices related to coding, the use of electronic encounter forms, and management of missed appointments. Specific recommendations are offered for ensuring that encounter forms are appropriately maintained and up-to-date.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007344	Insurance Claim Reporting	The design, completion, and filing of forms with the insurer.	Claim Reporting, Insurance,Reporting, Insurance Claim
D010350	Patient Credit and Collection	Accounting procedures for determining credit status and methods of obtaining payment.	Credit and Collection, Patient,Patient Credit,Credit, Patient,Credits, Patient,Patient Credits
D011216	Practice Management, Medical	The organization and operation of the business aspects of a physician's practice.	Medical Practice Management Services,Management, Medical Practice,Medical Practice Management,Practice Management Services, Medical,Managements, Medical Practice,Medical Practice Managements,Practice Managements, Medical
D005568	Forms and Records Control	A management function in which standards and guidelines are developed for the development, maintenance, and handling of forms and records.	Records Control,Forms Control,Records Management,Controls, Records,Management, Records,Records Controls
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017050	Episode of Care	An interval of care by a health care facility or provider for a specific medical problem or condition. It may be continuous or it may consist of a series of intervals marked by one or more brief separations from care, and can also identify the sequence of care (e.g., emergency, inpatient, outpatient), thus serving as one measure of health care provided.	Patient Care Episodes,Episodes of Care,Care Episode,Care Episodes,Episode, Patient Care,Episodes, Patient Care,Patient Care Episode