What does 'patient access' refer to in the healthcare revenue cycle?

'Patient access' in the healthcare revenue cycle primarily refers to the process of ensuring that patients can receive services. This encompasses various functions, such as scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, and collecting patient information prior to service delivery. It plays a crucial role in facilitating the initial interactions between healthcare providers and patients, ultimately impacting the patient's journey through the care continuum.

Ensuring patient access is vital because it directly affects patient flow, service efficiency, and overall patient experience. By making it easier for patients to navigate the complexities of healthcare services, providers can improve not only the efficiency of their operations but also patient satisfaction and engagement.

The other choices discuss aspects that are important to the healthcare process but do not directly define 'patient access.' Billing patients after services rendered pertains to revenue collection, managing healthcare staff focuses on staffing and operational efficiency, and evaluating patient satisfaction involves assessing the quality of care, all of which are critical but distinct from the concept of patient access.