Common Medical Bill Abbreviations

Decoding Medical Bill Shorthand

Medical bills are filled with abbreviations that can be confusing. Here's your quick reference guide to the most common ones.

Date and Service Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning	Explanation
DOS	Date of Service	When you received care
DOB	Date of Birth	Patient's birthdate
ADM	Admission Date	When you entered the hospital
DC/DISCH	Discharge Date	When you left the hospital
LOS	Length of Stay	Number of days hospitalized

Charge and Payment Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning	Explanation
CHG	Charge	Amount billed
ADJ	Adjustment	Discount or write-off
PMT	Payment	Amount paid
BAL	Balance	Amount remaining
PT RESP	Patient Responsibility	What you owe
INS RESP	Insurance Responsibility	What insurance owes
COINS	Coinsurance	Your percentage share
COPAY	Copayment	Your fixed fee
DED	Deductible	Annual amount before insurance pays

Diagnosis and Procedure Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning	Explanation
DX	Diagnosis	Your medical condition
PDX	Primary Diagnosis	Main reason for visit
CPT	Current Procedural Terminology	Procedure code system
HCPCS	Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System	Code system for supplies/services
ICD	International Classification of Diseases	Diagnosis code system
MOD	Modifier	Code that provides additional info

Provider and Facility Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning	Explanation
NPI	National Provider Identifier	Provider's ID number
TIN	Tax ID Number	Provider's tax identifier
PCP	Primary Care Physician	Your main doctor
OON	Out of Network	Provider without insurance contract
INN	In Network	Provider with insurance contract
ATTG	Attending Physician	Doctor responsible for your care

Insurance Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning	Explanation
EOB	Explanation of Benefits	Insurance statement
COB	Coordination of Benefits	Multiple insurance handling
AUTH	Authorization	Pre-approval for service
PREAUTH	Pre-Authorization	Required approval before care
PA	Prior Authorization	Same as preauth
UCR	Usual, Customary, and Reasonable	Standard charge range

Status Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning	Explanation
PEND	Pending	Awaiting processing
DENY	Denied	Claim rejected
APP	Approved	Claim accepted
PD	Paid	Payment made
WO	Write-Off	Amount not collected
REV	Reversed	Transaction undone

Common Service Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning	Explanation
ER/ED	Emergency Room/Dept	Emergency services
OR	Operating Room	Surgery location
ICU	Intensive Care Unit	Critical care
LAB	Laboratory	Blood work, testing
RAD	Radiology	Imaging services
RX	Prescription	Medication
DME	Durable Medical Equipment	Equipment like wheelchairs
PT	Physical Therapy	Rehabilitation services
OT	Occupational Therapy	Functional rehabilitation

Quick Reference Card

Save this for when you're reviewing bills:

Common Amounts:

• CHG = Total charged
• ADJ = Discount applied
• INS PMT = Insurance paid
• PT RESP = You owe this

Common Dates:

• DOS = When service happened
• ADM = When admitted
• DC = When discharged

Common Codes:

• CPT = Procedure code
• DX = Diagnosis code
• MOD = Modifier code

When you see an abbreviation you don't recognize, don't hesitate to call the billing department and ask. Understanding your bill is the first step to ensuring accuracy.