A remittance advice is a ______.

A remittance advice is primarily a document used in the medical billing process that provides a summary of claims that have been settled by an insurer. It details the payments made and outlines any adjustments or denials associated with those claims. When the correct answer states that a remittance advice is a claim summary sent to the patient, it highlights the purpose of this document in keeping patients informed about their claims and how their insurance processed them.

In many cases, a remittance advice may also be sent to the provider, giving them insight into reimbursement and billing issues. However, focusing on the patient's perspective aligns with understanding how they are informed about their payment responsibilities and any potential outstanding balances they may have.

The other options mischaracterize the role of remittance advice. A remittance advice is not a paper check; checks are the funds received for payment, while the remittance advice explains those payments. It also doesn’t serve as a claim summary specifically sent only to providers, as that would be referring to the provider's version of the document, often labeled differently. Therefore, defining a remittance advice as a claim summary aimed at patients helps to clarify its essential function in the healthcare billing system.