Medical Billing Practices on Patients’ Healthcare-Seeking Behavior in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt

Kpowugah Sunny Toanyie; Isaruk Ikpoko Ore Ebirien Dike; Bademosi Adetomi

doi:10.59890/ijatss.v3i10.112

Authors

Kpowugah Sunny Toanyie Rivers State University
Isaruk Ikpoko Ore Ebirien Dike Rivers State University
Bademosi Adetomi Rivers State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijatss.v3i10.112

Keywords:

Medical Billing, Healthcare-Seeking Behavior, Transparency, Out-of-Pocket Payment, Health Insurance

Abstract

This study examined medical billing practices and their influence on patients’ healthcare-seeking behavior at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt. A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted, involving healthcare professionals and patients across internal medicine, family medicine, and surgical departments. Using a structured questionnaire and key-informant interviews, data were collected from doctors, nurses, and patients and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that medical billing practices such as patient registration, verification of insurance, and departmental bill generation were prevalent. However, patients demonstrated mixed healthcare-seeking behaviors influenced by affordability, transparency, and out-of-pocket payment dependence. The study concludes that while billing procedures are well-established, systemic inefficiencies and lack of patient awareness influence care-seeking behavior. Recommendations include improved transparency, expansion of health insurance, and digitalization of billing systems to enhance patient trust and healthcare utilization

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