Ring ring...
How often should the medical assistant check back with a caller who is on hold?
every 30 seconds
If a patient has overpaid on his or her account, what does the medical office usually do?
issue a refund via check
What is the process of determining how long specific accounts and balances have been outstanding?
AGING
Which of the following should always be included when the medical assistant takes a message?
DOB
If a patient’s account is overdue, when is it recommended to follow up an overdue bill with a telephone call?
30 days past due
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?
send check to collections agency
What types of procedures usually are NOT covered by insurance?
elective cosmetic surgery
What term is used to describe the bills that the practice has for office rent, equipment rental, and salaries?
accounts payable
When is call forwarding used?
when transferring to different extention
When is the first bill sent to a patient?
at next scheduled billing once insurance pays
What is a way to handle a patient who has a pattern of being late for appointments?
give pt last appt of day
What is the name for scheduling patients with similar problems or conditions on certain days?
cluster scheduling
Which of the following types of call does the medical assistant usually handle only by taking a message?
test results
What amount of money is left in the cash drawer at the end of the day?
a set amount used to provide change for those paying cash
If a caller asks for the office manager by name, what should the medical assistant usually do?
double check with manager if they can take the call
If the physician’s office decides to take a patient to small claims court to try to collect a balance, who usually represents the medical facility?
MA or other staff member
What does it mean to close the day (close out the day)?
post all payments
When a patient does not keep an appointment or call to cancel, what should the medical assistant do?
document
What is the minimum amount of time that would commonly be allotted for the examination of a new patient?
30 minutes
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?
prepare written agreement with pt
When can a signature stamp be used to endorse a check?
when it's being prepared to be deposited
When a patient dies, how should the medical office send the final bill?
label it "to the estate of..."
Where is the MICR line located on a check?
bottom of check
To whom does a bank usually charge a fee for an NSF (not sufficient funds) check?
both owner of check and person trying to cash check
If the billing for a medical office is done by a private company, which tasks are performed in the medical office?
enter patient charges into computer