Date Of Service

What Does Date Of Service Mean?

The date of service refers to the specific time when a patient receives medical treatment. It is documented for billing purposes and included in the patient’s medical record. This date is also significant for insurance purposes, as health insurers determine reimbursement or payment based on the date of service, along with other billing factors.

Insuranceopedia Explains Date Of Service

Medical billing is a complex process, particularly when health insurance is involved, and it begins even before the insured receives treatment.

Initially, the insured provides their insurance information to the healthcare facility, which then verifies whether the policy covers the requested treatment. If coverage is confirmed, detailed information about the treatment, including the date of service, is submitted to the insurer.

The speed of reimbursement or payment from the insurer depends not only on how promptly the treatment information is provided but also on whether the data transmitted electronically is compatible with the insurer’s system.