Which statement best describes posted payments?

The statement that posted payments are payments that have been received and processed is accurate because "posted payments" refers to payments that have been recorded in the accounting or billing system. Once a payment is posted, it indicates that it has been acknowledged by the healthcare provider or billing office and entered into the patient’s account, reflecting a reduction in the outstanding balance owed. This process typically involves confirming that the payment matches the billed services and is reconciled appropriately.

Understanding this definition clarifies why the other options do not accurately describe posted payments. Unpaid claims encompass amounts that are still outstanding and have not been settled, thus not reflecting the concept of posted payments. The inclusion of only patient copayments is too narrow, as posted payments can also include insurance payments, other types of payments, and adjustments. Lastly, while billing discrepancies can arise during various stages of the billing process, they do not pertain specifically to the concept of posted payments, which signifies that payments have been accepted and accounted for rather than highlighting issues with billing.