Which element is commonly found in a charge description master?

The charge description master (CDM), also known as the chargemaster, is a comprehensive list of items billable to a hospital or healthcare provider. It serves as a vital tool for determining the fees associated with services and procedures offered by a healthcare facility.

The primary element that is commonly found within a charge description master is the procedure or service charge. This is because the CDM includes a detailed list of all the services and procedures provided by the facility, along with their corresponding charges. Each entry in the CDM reflects the cost that will be billed to patients and insurance companies for specific services, making it essential for billing and revenue cycle management.

While patient demographic information, diagnostic codes, and insurance policy information are important components in patient care and billing processes, they are not typically part of the charge description master itself. Instead, these elements are often maintained separately in patient records and billing systems, where they support the documentation and processing of charges derived from the procedures and services listed in the CDM.