AMA115 Chapter 20 #2

Emancipated Child

One who is younger than 18, no longer living at home, is self-supporting, and is responsible for payment.

A child of divorced parents, who is responsible for payment?

The parent who has legal custody (the parent who has consent ability and payment responsibility)-The best way to determine which parent has consent ability and payment responsibility of a minor child is to assume that the parent who brings the child in fo

Tricare

Dependents of active-duty and retired military personnel

Why was the Relative Value System created?

To determine practice expenses relative value units for all Medicare Physician Fee Schedule services.

What is the correct way to ask for payment from a patient?

For today's visit, the total charge is $50. How would you like to pay?

Why does a medical practice choose to handle patients' insurance forms?

Ensures an accurate and timely submission of the forms and prompt payment

When a patient pays by credit card, what does that mean for the medical practice?

Provides prompt payment from the credit card company.

When do most medical practices send out their bills?

At the end of the month

Superbill

Includes the charges rendered each day, an invoice for payment, and all information for submitting an insurance claim

What is the best way for a medical assistant to keep track of which patients the physician grants professional courtesy to?

Note "professional courtesy" on the patients ledger card

Who would a physician treat as a matter of professional courtesy?

Other health-care professionals

Written contract

One in which the physician and the patient sign regarding treatment and payments to be made. The payment agreement often states that the patient will pay the bill in more than four installments

Open-book account

An account which is open to charges made occasionally as needed-used in most physician offices-an open-book account uses the last date of payment or charge for each illness as the starting date for determining the time limit on that specific debt.

Single-entry account

When a person is likely to visit the office only once

Statement

Sent to the patient whose account is 30 days past due

First phone call

Should occur if payment has not been received after 30-45 days- payment arrangements are set up at this time if the patient cannot pay the balance in full

Initial collection letter

Sent if the arranged payment is not received within 24 hours of the agreed upon date

Collection Letter

Sent when an account is 60 days past due

Next Collection letter

Sent at 90 days past due and contains stronger wording

Final Letter

Sent if an account is 120 days or more past due

What information about a patient should a medical assistant provide to a collections agency?

Patient's full name, last known address, occupation, name of spouse, total amount of the debt, date of the last activity on the account, actions taken to collect the debt, and responses to collection attempts.

An appropriate way to handle a patient who has relocated and has an address change?

Ask the third party for the patient's new address

Invoice

A bill for materials or services performed by the practice

Cycle billing

A billing system that bills each patient only once a month but spreads the work of billing over a month.

Why is it important to give patients the benefit of the doubt by assuming that they simply forgot to pay?

To maintain a good relationship with patients, it is best not to accuse them of negligence

Age analysis

The process of classifying and reviewing past-due accounts from the first date of billing

Emancipated Child

One who is younger than 18, no longer living at home, is self-supporting, and is responsible for payment.

A child of divorced parents, who is responsible for payment?

The parent who has legal custody (the parent who has consent ability and payment responsibility)-The best way to determine which parent has consent ability and payment responsibility of a minor child is to assume that the parent who brings the child in fo

Tricare

Dependents of active-duty and retired military personnel

Why was the Relative Value System created?

To determine practice expenses relative value units for all Medicare Physician Fee Schedule services.

What is the correct way to ask for payment from a patient?

For today's visit, the total charge is $50. How would you like to pay?

Why does a medical practice choose to handle patients' insurance forms?

Ensures an accurate and timely submission of the forms and prompt payment

When a patient pays by credit card, what does that mean for the medical practice?

Provides prompt payment from the credit card company.

When do most medical practices send out their bills?

At the end of the month

Superbill

Includes the charges rendered each day, an invoice for payment, and all information for submitting an insurance claim

What is the best way for a medical assistant to keep track of which patients the physician grants professional courtesy to?

Note "professional courtesy" on the patients ledger card

Who would a physician treat as a matter of professional courtesy?

Other health-care professionals

Written contract

One in which the physician and the patient sign regarding treatment and payments to be made. The payment agreement often states that the patient will pay the bill in more than four installments

Open-book account

An account which is open to charges made occasionally as needed-used in most physician offices-an open-book account uses the last date of payment or charge for each illness as the starting date for determining the time limit on that specific debt.

Single-entry account

When a person is likely to visit the office only once

Statement

Sent to the patient whose account is 30 days past due

First phone call

Should occur if payment has not been received after 30-45 days- payment arrangements are set up at this time if the patient cannot pay the balance in full

Initial collection letter

Sent if the arranged payment is not received within 24 hours of the agreed upon date

Collection Letter

Sent when an account is 60 days past due

Next Collection letter

Sent at 90 days past due and contains stronger wording

Final Letter

Sent if an account is 120 days or more past due

What information about a patient should a medical assistant provide to a collections agency?

Patient's full name, last known address, occupation, name of spouse, total amount of the debt, date of the last activity on the account, actions taken to collect the debt, and responses to collection attempts.

An appropriate way to handle a patient who has relocated and has an address change?

Ask the third party for the patient's new address

Invoice

A bill for materials or services performed by the practice

Cycle billing

A billing system that bills each patient only once a month but spreads the work of billing over a month.

Why is it important to give patients the benefit of the doubt by assuming that they simply forgot to pay?

To maintain a good relationship with patients, it is best not to accuse them of negligence

Age analysis

The process of classifying and reviewing past-due accounts from the first date of billing