The physician's interpretation of the patient's condition is recorded in Problem Oriented progress notes under:
Assessment
If a patient's account is turned over to a collection agency, and the patient is given a reasonable period of time to find another physician, how should the letter be mailed?
Certified mail with return receipt
which of the following are included as established patients?
Patients who have been seen in the medical office during the past three years
If a patient whose account is in collection calls the office and states that he is sending a check for a portion of the outstanding amount, what should the medical assistant tell him?
To send the check to the collection agency
What is the term used for a billing method in which bills to some patients are sent every week, although each patient only receives a bill once a month?
Cycle billing
Which bills may be handled in a different manner from those of the patients?
patients who have died, minors receiving treatment for STDs, those patients who have credit agreements with the office allowing time payments.
Assuming that a deceased patient had a will, who is responsible to pay outstanding obligations of that patient?
The executor or administrator named in the will
Which of the following best describes the spacing in the body of a business letter?
Double-spaced throughout
Which of the following cases is most likely to be tried in a small claims court?
Failure to pay two months' rent before moving out of an apartment
Once an agreement has been made with the patient to accept monthly installments, what regulations apply to the written agreement?
Truth in Lending Act
What is the Chief Complaint?
The symptom(s) causing the patient the most trouble
First Class mail is used for letters up to:
13 oz.
Which of the following would be filed first? (hard copy file system)
Jones, Jane
Which of the following is an indirect method of filing?
Numeric
What are benefits to verifying a patient's identity at every visit by asking for a photo ID?
It helps prevent medical identity theft, it verifies identity if a patient pays by check, the photo ID can be matched with the patient's insurance card
How does the medical assistant verify that a patient's insurance will cover a procedure that will be done in the office?
Call the insurance carrier
When the medical assistant opens the office, what should he or she do first?
Disarm the alarm, unlock file cabinets, medical record files, and turn phones on.
If the terminal digit filing system is used, which of the following medical record numbers comes first in the files?
19-44-01-00
What is the minimum amount of time that would commonly be allotted for the examination of a new patient?
30 mins.
The purpose of HIPAA is to:
provide patients with more control over the use and disclosure of their health information.
Under a managed care plan, what is the fixed amount of money that a patient is required to pay each time he or she receives treatment?
copayment
Which of the following is not an example of a diagnostic report?
consultation report
who is responsible for filling out the charge slip identifying the charges for which patient will be billed?
physician
what is the goal of stream scheduling?
To schedule patients so that there is a steady flow of patients moving through the office
which method(s) can be used to allow the physician to avoid falling behind or catch up with appointment times?
leave at least 15-20 minutes free each morning and/or afternoon, schedule a lunch break that is 20-30 minutes longer that the physician will need, end appointment times about an hour before the physician really plans to go home, schedule the physician for
Express Mail is delivered:
Before 5 pm within 24 hours including weekends
what information must be obtained from a new patient?
The type of medical insurance and coverage
What is required under HIPAA related to the medical office statement of privacy practices?
The patient must sign a form acknowledging the opportunity to read or receipt of the office privacy practices.
When the medical assistant opens the office, what should he or she do first?
Unlock file cabinets, medical record files, and turn phones on.
what should be attached or in the chart for each patient who is going to be seen that day in the office?
charge slip
which date is punctuated correctly?
June 13, 1987
If the medical office wants to be sure that a letter is delivered only to the intended recipient, how should it be sent?
Restricted Delivery
If a patient whose account is in collection makes an appointment and will be seen by the practice, what will the patient be told?
Charges for the new visit must be paid in full before the patient will be seen
What is the process of determining how long specific accounts and balances have been outstanding?
Aging
what is overdraft protection?
An agreement that the bank will transfer money between accounts as needed
which of the following forms are usually filled out by the patient before the patient sees the physician?
patient history form
if a patient has overpaid on his or her account, what does the medical office usually do?
Contact the patient to determine how the patient wants to handle the credit balance.
how might the medical assistant prepare the telephone system for the day's activities?
notify the answering service that the office is open
After what period does an account require additional collection activity?
120 days
Which of the following situations requires the completion of a release of medical information form?
When a patient transfers records to a new provider
Which of the following is not included in the patient registration record?
Immunizations
To whom does a bank usually charge a fee for a NSF check?
Both the owner of the account and the party that attempts to cash the check
Which of the following must be included in informed consent?
an explanation of risks involved with the procedure, any alternative treatments or procedures available, the prognosis, the purpose of the recommended procedure
When the medical assistant closes the office, what should he or she do?
Check all rooms, lock all doors and set the alarm
If a patient has filed bankruptcy under chapter 7, what must have occurred for the medical office to collect an outstanding balance?
The office must have a signed written credit agreement with the patient
Why is it important to document missed appointments in the patient's medical record?
it shows that the patient had an appointment and didn't keep it, it is a potential defense against a claim that the physician was not available, it provides grounds to terminate a relationship with the patient, it provides written documentation that the p
What should the medical assistant check when an established patient returns to the office after a brief absence?
The patient's address and telephone number
For which of the following do banks usually not charge an extra fee?
A refund check written to a patient
When is a patient account usually considered overdue?
30 days after being billed
How does the office usually handle visits from pharmacy representatives or medical sales people who want to see the physician?
Give them a specific appointment time, often during the lunch break.
Generally, how long in advance can patients usually schedule appointments? (May Vary)
Up to 6 months
What system schedules 3-4 patients every half hour, who are seen in the order they arrive?
Wave
If a patient has filed bankruptcy under Chapter 13, what must have occurred for the office to receive some payments?
The patient must have an outstanding balance owed to the office.
Which of the following listed comes last in a business letter?
Typed signature
What is the name for the statement that allows the office to release information to the insurance company for billing purposes?
Release of information form
Which of the following letter styles requires all lines to begin at the left margin?
Full Block
Why is it important to acknowledge everyone who enters the office as soon as possible?
It prevents patients from feeling awkward and they feel welcomed.
Which of the following adult patients should be seen by the physician on the day the patient calls, if possible?
The patient who complains of Dyspnea and Angina for the past day
When is the patient placed in an examination room?
After all front office paperwork has been completed.
Why are inactive records removed from the active file area in most offices? (hard copy charts)
To create more space for the records of new patients
what is the name for scheduling patients with similar problems or conditions on certain days?
clustering
How does the medical assistant verify that a patient's insurance will cover a procedure that will be done in the office?
Call the insurance carrier
A patient with an overdue account may request that he or she be allowed to make monthly payments instead of putting the account into collection. what should the medical assistant do?
Draw up a written credit agreement with the patient, stating the minimum amount due each month.
when is the first bill usually sent to a patient?
At the next scheduled billing after insurance has paid
How does the medical assistant set up the appointment schedule? (matrix)
Block out the times when the physician is not available to see patients
Cathy is a 16 year old, who goes to the doctor for an HIV test. Which is the best method for the office to collect the amount due?
Ask Cathy to pay at the time of the visit
Which type of mail tracks a letter and also provides insurance?
Registered Mail`
In which situation should the medical office stop payment on a check?
The recipient of a check (payee) reports that it has been lost.
Which of the following names would be filed first? (hard copy chart)
Winston De La Mare
Mailing a letter with a receipt of legal evidence, where the recipient must sign is:
Certified Mail
What part of a letter will contain the date line?
Heading