Which process involves reviewing charges and payments made to a patient’s account?

The correct answer involves the process commonly referred to as auditing. Auditing is essential in a medical administrative setting as it entails a thorough review of a patient’s account, including charges for services rendered and payments received. This process is critical for ensuring accuracy in financial records, verifying that all services billed are correct, and that payments correspond properly to those charges. Auditors may also check for discrepancies, appreciate the allocation of payments, and ensure compliance with financial policies and guidelines.

This review is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the billing process, identifying any potential issues regarding overbilling or underpayment, and ensuring that the patient's financial records are complete and accurate. In the context of medical administration, this process helps to safeguard against errors or fraud, ultimately facilitating clear communication between healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients.

The other options have different focuses: accounting typically refers to the overall management of financial transactions and reporting, billing is primarily concerned with generating invoices for services, and collections involve efforts to collect payments that are overdue. Each of these plays a role in the financial management of healthcare services, but auditing specifically addresses the review and verification aspect of the patient's financial account.