What is the purpose of a claims scrubber in pharmacy billing?

A claims scrubber plays a vital role in the pharmacy billing process by checking claims for errors before they are submitted to insurance companies. This proactive step is essential in ensuring that all the necessary information is accurate and complete, which helps prevent delays in payment or outright claim denials.

By identifying and correcting potential issues—such as coding errors, missing information, or inconsistencies in patient details—a claims scrubber helps to improve the likelihood of successful claims processing and timely reimbursement. This function is crucial as it can save both the pharmacy and the payer time and resources by reducing the number of rejected claims that require resubmission.

The other options, while relevant to the overall operations of a pharmacy, do not address the primary role of a claims scrubber. Payment processing, inventory management, and monitoring patient adherence involve different operational aspects that do not directly relate to the claim submission process.