CPB (Certified Professional Biller) Certification Practice Exam

What is the term for the types and categories of patients treated by a healthcare provider?

1. Case Law

2. Case Mix

3. Catastrophic Cap Benefit

4. Catchment Area

The correct answer is: Case Mix

The term you are looking for is "Case Mix." This concept refers to the different types and categories of patients that a healthcare provider treats, which often encompasses variables like the severity of conditions, diagnosis, and the complexity of care provided. Understanding the case mix is important for healthcare facilities as it helps them analyze the types of services offered, allocate resources more efficiently, and manage costs associated with patient treatment. While "Case Law," "Catastrophic Cap Benefit," and "Catchment Area" are relevant concepts within the healthcare system, they do not pertain directly to the classification of patients treated by a provider. Case law involves judicial decisions that affect legal standards within healthcare, catastrophic cap benefit relates to insurance limits for high-cost care, and catchment area refers to the geographical area from which a healthcare provider draws patients. Therefore, case mix is the precise term that fits the context of patient demographics and treatment categories.