Which of the following is a service common for hospitals and large physician practices to provide to help patients manage payment for services?

Patient financial counseling is a fundamental service offered by hospitals and large physician practices to assist patients in understanding and managing their financial responsibilities associated with healthcare services. This counseling aims to clarify the costs of care, available payment options, and potential financial assistance programs, allowing patients to navigate their payment obligations more effectively.

This service is particularly important as healthcare costs can be complex and overwhelming for many patients, who may struggle to comprehend their medical bills or financial statements. By providing patient financial counseling, healthcare organizations empower patients to make informed decisions regarding their care and payment options, ultimately improving patient satisfaction and compliance with payment plans.

While billing dispute resolution, insurance negotiation, and healthcare marketing are also important functions within healthcare organizations, they do not directly address the immediate need for patient support in understanding and managing healthcare payments. Billing disputes focus on resolving issues related to incorrect charges, insurance negotiation deals with obtaining favorable terms from insurers, and healthcare marketing is about promoting services, rather than assisting patients with payment management.