Collecting Patient Information
Patient information collection begins with the patient registration form, completed during the first visit. This form captures essential demographic and insurance information that will be used for all future encounters. Accurate and complete registration data is the foundation of successful medical billing.
Demographic Information
Demographic information includes the patient’s full name, date of birth, gender, address, phone numbers, and Social Security number. Some practices also collect employment information and emergency contact details. The patient’s date of birth is particularly important as it’s used to verify identity with insurance companies.
Insurance Information
Insurance information should be collected from the patient’s insurance card and verified directly with the payer. Key elements include:
- Insurance company name and address
- Policy number
- Group number
- Subscriber name and ID
- Relationship of the patient to the subscriber
For patients with multiple insurance policies, information must be collected for all coverages to determine proper coordination of benefits.
Additional Billing Information
Additional information that supports billing includes the guarantor (person responsible for the bill if different from the patient), employer details if insurance is employment-based, and any authorization or referral information required by managed care plans.