In accrual accounting, when is patient service revenue recognized?

In accrual accounting, patient service revenue is recognized at the time healthcare services are provided. This principle is fundamental to accrual accounting, which focuses on recognizing revenues and expenses when they are earned or incurred, rather than when cash is exchanged. This approach provides a more accurate representation of a healthcare provider's financial activities within a given accounting period.

For healthcare organizations, this means that once a patient receives medical services, the revenue associated with that service is recorded, regardless of whether payment has been received. This aligns revenue recognition with the delivery of services, thereby enhancing the clarity and relevance of financial reporting.

The other options do not align with the principles of accrual accounting. Recognizing revenue only when cash is received would reflect a cash-based accounting method, which does not capture the revenue that has been earned through service delivery. Likewise, recognizing revenue at the end of the fiscal year might overlook the timing of service delivery, leading to potential misstatements in financial reporting. Lastly, waiting for invoices to be generated could result in delays in recognizing revenue, thereby distorting the financial picture during the period in which the services were actually rendered.