Which of the following actions is NOT part of the charging process?

Creating patient preference notes is not considered part of the charging process. The charging process typically involves actions directly related to billing and financial transactions for healthcare services. This includes filing levels of care charges, documenting professional service charges, and updating hospital service charges, all of which involve charging patients or insurance companies for the services rendered.

Filing levels of care charges ensures that the correct billing rates are applied based on the type of care a patient receives. Documenting professional service charges involves recording the costs associated with specific professional services provided to the patient, which directly contributes to the total charges. Updating hospital service charges ensures that the latest pricing and service offerings are reflected in the patient’s billing account.

In contrast, creating patient preference notes pertains more to patient information management and care preferences, which, while essential for quality healthcare delivery, does not directly influence the financial aspect or charging procedure. Hence, it is the action that stands apart from the fundamental components of the charging process.