What does "per diem" refer to in reimbursement systems?

"Per diem" in reimbursement systems specifically refers to reimbursement based on daily charges for healthcare services provided to a patient. This term translates to "per day" in Latin, and it indicates that a hospital or healthcare provider receives a fixed fee for each day that a patient is hospitalized.

This type of payment structure is designed to simplify the billing process by establishing a consistent rate that covers a range of services and costs associated with patient care on a daily basis, rather than billing for each individual service or procedure. As a result, it can potentially streamline administrative tasks and facilitate budgeting for both providers and health insurance plans.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of healthcare billing and reimbursement. Financial responsibility before insurance payment pertains more to deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, while fees charged by providers according to specialty involve variable pricing based on the specific expertise of the provider, and predetermined payment for inpatient services is a broader concept that may include various payment models but does not specifically refer to the daily basis implied by "per diem."