Which document is essential for verifying a patient's identity during billing?

The insurance card is crucial for verifying a patient's identity during the billing process because it contains specific information that helps the healthcare provider confirm that the patient is indeed covered under their policy. This card typically includes the patient's name, policy number, group number, and the insurance company's contact information. By validating this data, healthcare staff can ensure that the patient is eligible for the healthcare services billed, and it also assists in accurately submitting claims to the insurance company.

While the other documents, such as patient history, contact information, and privacy notice, serve important roles in patient care and compliance, they do not primarily function to confirm the identity of the patient for billing purposes. Patient history is more focused on medical background, contact information pertains to how to reach the patient, and privacy notices inform patients about their rights concerning their health information, but none of these directly verify the patient's insurance details, which is critical for billing accuracy and processing.