What does "medical billing" typically involve?

Medical billing typically involves submitting claims and collecting payments for medical services. This process is crucial in the healthcare system as it ensures that healthcare providers receive compensation for the services they render to patients. Medical billing specialists are responsible for creating invoices, coding services provided during patient visits, and submitting these claims to insurance companies. They also follow up on unpaid claims and manage payment discrepancies, making them vital to the financial health of medical practices.

The focus of medical billing is on the financial transaction aspect of healthcare rather than administrative tasks like processing patient admissions, which are separate functions in a medical office. Conducting medical research falls outside the realm of billing and pertains more to clinical or academic work. Scheduling follow-up appointments, meanwhile, relates to patient management and care continuity rather than the financial aspects of healthcare services. Thus, the core functions of medical billing revolve around the submission of claims and the collection of payments, which is why this choice is the correct answer.