What type of statement does the patient sign to authorize the payer to directly reimburse the provider?

The statement that a patient signs to authorize the payer to directly reimburse the provider is known as an assignment of benefits. This document allows the insurance company to pay the medical provider directly for the services rendered rather than issuing the payment to the patient, which can streamline the process of billing and can alleviate financial strain on the patient at the time of service.

In this context, the assignment of benefits is crucial because it establishes a legal agreement in which the patient designates their insurance company to send payments directly to the healthcare provider. This not only simplifies the payment process but also helps ensure that the provider receives payment more promptly.

The other options refer to different aspects of the healthcare billing and insurance process. A release of information authorization is focused on permitting the provider to share specific medical information with the payer for claim processing but does not involve payment direction. Accepting assignment generally means that the provider agrees to accept the insurance payment as full payment for the services rendered, which is related but distinct from the authorization mechanism. Coordination of benefits pertains to how multiple insurance payers work together when a patient has more than one policy, making it relevant to payment processes but not specifically about direct reimbursement to the provider.