What does the acronym COB stand for?

The acronym COB stands for Coordination of Benefits. This term is used within the realm of healthcare and insurance to describe the process by which multiple insurance companies determine their respective payment responsibilities when an individual is covered by more than one health insurance policy. The purpose of coordinating benefits is to ensure that the total benefits paid do not exceed the total charges incurred, thereby preventing overpayment and ensuring that the proper insurance provider pays the appropriate amount.

Coordination of Benefits is particularly important in scenarios such as when an individual has coverage through their employer and also through a spouse's employer. In these cases, COB rules dictate which plan is primary (responsible for covering costs first) and which is secondary (responsible for covering costs after the primary plan). Understanding this concept is fundamental for pharmacy billing and reimbursement processes, as it affects how claims are submitted and processed across different insurers.

The other options do not accurately reflect the established terminology within the insurance industry regarding how benefits are managed and coordinated between multiple policies.