Patient Fees
Providers who accept assignment with Medicare and Medicaid are mandated to charge every patient:
A) The same amount for similar services rendered
B) Fifty percent of the bill
C) Whatever the patient can afford
A) The same amount for similar services rendered
On the ledger card, which column is used for entering payments?
A) Credit column
B) Debit column
C) Balance column
D) Adjustment column
A) Credit column
Which of the following would NOT be indicated on a bank statement?
A) Listing of cleared checks
B) Deposits received by the bank
C) Service charges
D) Time check was written
D) Time check was written
Which of the following is used to gauge the effectiveness of the clinic's billing practices?
A) Collections ratio
B) Accounts receivable ratio
C) Desirable ratio
A) Collections ratio
Which of the following questions would NOT be helpful in developing a credit and collection policy?
A) What kind of payment arrangements can be made if the patient does not pay at the time of service?
B) How would a reminder initially be managed: by telephone, by a note on the statement, or by letter?
C) At what point will a patient’s bill be considered delinquent?
D) What is the most convenient time of the month for patients to make a payment?
D) What is the most convenient time of the month for patients to make a payment?
In the case of divorced parents and blended families, which parent is considered to be the guarantor and is responsible for payment?
A) Father
B)Parent with physical custody
C) Mother
D)Parent with the earliest birth date
B)Parent with physical custody
Which of the following is NOT a recommended rule in a manual bookkeeping system?
A) Use a consistent black or blue ink color.
B) Write neatly and clearly, forming numbers carefully.
C) If a mistake is found, cover up by using Wite-Out®.
D) Align columns carefully using paper with grid lines.
C) If a mistake is found, cover up by using Wite-Out®.
Which of the following is the most likely cause of the deposits not agreeing with the credits on the day sheet or the patient ledgers?
A) There are duplicate cards.
B) Deposits were miscounted.
C) Cash is missing.
D) Payment is misplaced.
D) Payment is misplaced.
Which of the following best describes a monthly billing system?
A) Patients are billed monthly in alternating cycles.
B) All bills are completed in a few days and mailed.
C) Accounts are divided into groups and billed monthly, but in different weeks.
B) All bills are completed in a few days and mailed.
Which of the following must the collection of fees be directed to when a patient dies?
A) Executor of the estate
B) Small claims court
C) Probate court
A) Executor of the estate
Which of the following is a primary advantage to accepting credit cards?
A) No fees are paid.
B) Confidentiality is not a problem.
C) Money is not a problem.
D) Money is available within 24 hours or so.
D) Money is available within 24 hours or so.
Which of the following best classifies the adjustment column in the accounting process and its effect on the balance due?
A) Credit column; decreases balance
B)Credit column; increases balance
C) Debit column; decreases balance
D)Neutral; no change to balance
E) Debit column; increases balance
A) Credit column; decreases balance
Which of the following best describes the use of a charge slip?
A) Provides a patient with account activity for the month
B) Provides a patient with account activity for the day of service
C) Provides a patient a receipt when payments are mailed
D) Supplements the pegboard system
B) Provides a patient with account activity for the day of service
Collection calls to patients with overdue accounts are more likely to be answered during what time frame?
A) 5:00–8:00 a.m.
B) 5:00–8:00 p.m.
C) 12:00–1:00 p.m.
B) 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Which collection technique is used as a last resort in the collection of unpaid balances?
A)Payment at the time of service
B) Stickers on billing statements
C) Telephone call reminders
D) Sending to a collection agency
D) Sending to a collection agency
At times, patients may not be able to pay their medical bills for various reasons. What can medical assistants do to assist them with this?
A) Nothing. Laws require patients to pay their bills in full.
B) Make financial arrangements with patients, allowing full payment for services provided.
C) Allow patients to pay a reduced amount.
B) Make financial arrangements with patients, allowing full payment for services provided.
When is the recommended time for deposits?
A) Twice a week
B) Daily
C) Once a week
D) Once a month
B) Daily
Which of the following is the first rule of purchasing?
A) Check all items ordered when received.
B) Check invoices against items delivered.
C) Nothing is ordered or paid for without a purchase order.
D) Pay only for items received.
C) Nothing is ordered or paid for without a purchase order.
Which of the following best describes a monthly billing system?
A) Patients are billed monthly in alternating cycles.
B) All bills are completed in a few days and mailed.
C) Accounts are divided into groups and billed monthly, but in different weeks.
D) Accounts are divided up alphabetically and mailed on the 15th of the month
B) All bills are completed in a few days and mailed.
Which of the following measures the speed with which outstanding accounts are paid?
A) Collections ratio
B) Accounts receivable ratio
C) Desirable ratio
B) Accounts receivable ratio
Which of the following is NOT the responsibility of the Medical Assistant in regard to the discussion of fees?
A) Making sure providers receive education, training, and experience in diagnosis and treatment concerns
B) Informing the patient about provider charges
C) Collecting payments
D) Making credit arrangements if necessary
E) Making certain patients and their providers receive the full benefit of medical insurance
A) Making sure providers receive education, training, and experience in diagnosis and treatment concerns
A patient’s check is returned for insufficient funds. Which of the following applies to the patient account balance after the amount of the NSF check is posted and an entry is made in the adjustment column?
A) Account balance is decreased.
B) Account balance is increased.
C) Account balance does not change.
D) Adjustment is added
B) Account balance is increased.
Which of the following is NOT a major advantage of the pegboard system?
A) Forms work together to simplify the task
B) Complete up-to-date balance of accounts payable
C) Relatively inexpensive
D) Write-it-once system
B) Complete up-to-date balance of accounts payable
How can the medical assistant help prevent collection problems?
A)Mandate all payments at time of service.
B)Make payment arrangements before the patient is allowed to see physician.
C)inform the patient of the payment policy at the first visit or call.
C)inform the patient of the payment policy at the first visit or call.
Which of the following is NOT a legal or ethical guideline governing collection calls?
A) Callers must identify themselves.
B) Callers may not threaten persons.
C) Callers must talk to the person responsible for the debt.
D) Callers must disclose the finance charge imposed.
D) Callers must disclose the finance charge imposed.