What process assigns indirect costs to services provided to patients or clients?

The process that assigns indirect costs to services provided to patients or clients is known as cost allocation. This practice is critical in health care finance because it's essential to accurately reflect the true cost of delivering services. Indirect costs, which are not directly tied to a specific service (like administrative expenses, utilities, and facility costs), need to be distributed across various services to ensure that they are appropriately accounted for in overall budgeting and financial analysis.

By allocating these costs, healthcare organizations can determine the actual cost of delivering care, enabling better pricing strategies, financial planning, and resource management. Accurate cost allocation also enhances decision-making regarding service offerings and efficiency improvements, which are fundamental aspects of sustaining a healthy financial performance in healthcare settings.