The physician charged $145.60 for services rendered. The insurance pays the usual and customary charge of $124.84. The patient paid his portion of $11.76. Determine the adjusted amount.

Step 1: Understand the problem

The physician charged a certain amount for services rendered. This amount is then divided mainly into two parts. One part is paid by the insurance company and the other part is paid by the patient. The question is asking to determine the adjusted amount.

Step 2: Identify what we know

Let's identify the information given,

- Total charge by the physician: $145.60
- Amount paid by insurance: $124.84
- Amount paid by the patient: $11.76

Step 3: Develop the plan

The plan here should involve subtraction. The adjusted amount should be the total charge of the physician minus the amount paid by the insurance and the patient.

Step 4: Execute the plan

We can now calculate the adjusted amount:

Adjusted amount = Total charge - Amount paid by insurance - Amount paid by the patient

Plugging the values we have:

Adjusted amount = $145.60 - $124.84 - $11.76

Let's simplify,

Adjusted amount = $145.60 - ($124.84 + $11.76)

First, calculate the sum in brackets,

Adjusted amount = $145.60 - $136.60 (We are just adding $124.84 + $11.76)

Now, subtract $136.60 from $145.60,

Adjusted amount = $9.00

Step 5: Check the answer

To verify our result, we can work backwards and add the adjusted amount to the amount paid by insurance and the patient. If the sum equals the total charge of the physician, then our answer is correct.

So, $124.84 (insurance) + $11.76 (patient) + $9.00 (adjusted amount) = $145.60

This indeed matches the total charge by the physician, therefore corroborating our calculation of the adjusted amount being $9.00.

Thus, the adjusted amount that must be paid is $9.00.