What is the difference between a write-off and a contractual adjustment in healthcare billing?
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A
They are the same thing and can be used interchangeably
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B
A contractual adjustment is a pre-negotiated discount per payer contract; a write-off is a balance deemed uncollectable
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C
A write-off applies only to Medicare patients; a contractual adjustment applies to commercial payers
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D
A contractual adjustment reduces the patient balance; a write-off reduces the insurance balance