What must be verified before a patient's appointment?

• A. The patient's eligibility and contract with the insurance company.
• B. The provider's license status.
• C. The patient's credit score.
• D. The appointment time.

Answer: (A)

Verifying the patient’s eligibility and contract with the insurance company is essential before the appointment. This check confirms the patient is active under the plan, determines what benefits apply, and shows whether the provider is in-network. It reveals important details like required preauthorizations, copays, deductibles, and coinsurance, so the staff can estimate what the patient will owe and prevent claim denials or unexpected charges after care. The provider’s license status is a separate credentialing issue not tied to a single visit, the patient’s credit score isn’t used in determining medical coverage, and the appointment time is already scheduled—so those elements aren’t the verification focus for billing purposes.