Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What term describes a claim submitted for payment while a patient is still receiving services?

1. Internal claims processing

2. Interim claim

3. Line of credit

4. Indirect costing

The correct answer is: Interim claim

The term that describes a claim submitted for payment while a patient is still receiving services is "interim claim." This type of claim allows healthcare providers to receive partial payment for ongoing services before the treatment or care is completed. Interim claims are particularly useful in situations where the duration of care is extended, such as in rehabilitation or long-term care settings. This process helps ensure that providers maintain cash flow while the patient is still undergoing treatment, which is crucial for the financial health of healthcare facilities. Internal claims processing, line of credit, and indirect costing do not relate specifically to the submission of claims while services are ongoing. Internal claims processing refers to the internal handling of claims for reimbursement, line of credit deals with borrowing options, and indirect costing pertains to allocating costs in a business context rather than claims submissions.