Question

Which of the following is a secondary purpose of the health record?

a. to document patient care delivery
b. to assist caregivers in patient care management
c. to aid in billing and reimbursement functions
d. to generate a report to be used in performance improvement

Answer 1

The secondary purpose of the health record in question is to assist in billing and reimbursement functions. This is crucial for the operational side of healthcare, allowing for accurate claims processing and payment for services.

Step-by-step explanation:

The secondary purpose of the health record that you've asked about is c. to aid in billing and reimbursement functions. While documenting patient care and assisting caregivers are primary goals, billing and reimbursement are not directly related to patient care; instead, they are essential operational responsibilities of healthcare administration. Health records are crucial for ensuring accurate billing, as they contain the details necessary for health insurance providers to process claims and for healthcare facilities to receive payment for services rendered. The secondary uses of health records also include legal documentation, research, and policy development.