What document must a patient sign for a healthcare provider to be paid directly by their insurance?

The assignment of benefits is the correct document a patient must sign for a healthcare provider to be paid directly by their insurance. This legally binding agreement allows the healthcare provider to receive payments directly from the patient's insurance company rather than requiring the patient to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later.

When a patient signs the assignment of benefits, it signals to the insurance company that they have given permission for the payment to be made directly to the provider. This streamlines the process for both the patient and the provider, ensuring that the necessary payments are made without additional steps for the patient.

While other documents like the authorization form might involve patient consent for specific procedures or treatments, or the release of information pertains to allowing the sharing of the patient's medical records, neither directly addresses the payment process in the way the assignment of benefits does. A referral form is usually related to directing a patient to a specialist or specific service but also does not relate to payment processing.