CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What is a catchment area?

1. The distance a patient must travel for treatment

2. A region defined by code boundaries around a treatment facility

3. The age range of patients served by a provider

4. The type of services offered in a geographic area

The correct answer is: A region defined by code boundaries around a treatment facility

A catchment area refers to a specific geographic region that is served by a particular health care provider or facility. This area is often defined by specific boundaries, which can be determined by various factors including population density, the availability of services, and the travel patterns of patients seeking care. The catchment area helps to identify where the provider's patient population comes from and assists in planning and allocation of resources. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the concept of a catchment area. The distance a patient must travel for treatment focuses on individual patient behavior rather than defining the geographical scope of a provider's service. The age range of patients served reflects demographic information, which is useful but not specific to the catchment area definition. The type of services offered in a geographic area relates to the services available rather than the geographic boundaries that encompass a catchment area.