CMAA EXAM

What qualities should an MA posess?

Dependability

Courtesy

Initiative

Interpersonal Skills

An implied contract in which the physician is expected to assess and treat the patient with the same amount of knowledge, skill, and judgement as another physician under the same circumstances.

Physician-Patient Relationship

What are the rules that must be followed under the Physician-Patient Relationship?

The patient is expected to compensate the physician for all services provided.

The patient is expected to adhere to any directions or guidance provided by the physician.

If the physician terminates the contract, the patient must be provided with advance notice of these intentions as well as given enough time to seek the services of another physician.

This is apparent through the action of seeking the services of a physician.

Implied Consent

A form that states the patient's understanding of the prescribed treatment as well as its accompanying risks; usually signed prior to operations or procedures to be conducted.

Informed Consent

This states that a volunteer is not held liable for any civil damages that may occur as a result of their efforts to provide emergency care.

Good Samaritan Act

This document was developed to ensure the fairness and effectiveness of the healthcare system, as well as encourage people to take an interest in the improvement of their health.

Patient's Bill of Rights

The discontinuation of medical care without proper notification.

Abandonment

The usage of an impartial third party for the hearing and determination of a dispute.

Arbitration

The unlawful use of force or violence; physical contact of a person without his permission.

Battery

The failure to provide the necessary care that is required for a person's situation.

Negligence

Laws enacted by the legislative branch of a government.

Statutes

What are the guidelines for proper phone etiquette?

Answer the telephone promptly and kindly.

Be sure to properly speak into the phone.

Be sure to give the caller your undivided attention.

Speak clearly and distinctly.

Always be courteous.

Be sure to ask the caller's permission before placing them on hold.

Never allow an angry or aggressive caller to upset you; remain calm and composed.

What is verbal communication?

The use of the language or the actual words spoken.

What are some of the key components of verbal communication?

Sound

Words

Speaking

Language

This is the use of eye contact, body language, facial expression, or symbolic expressions to communicate a message.

Nonverbal Communication

This rule establishes regulations for the use and disclosure of protected health information and mandates that all patients be provided a copy of privacy policies when treated in a doctor's office or when admitted to any health care facility.

HIPAA Patient Privacy Rule

How do you create a comfortable environment?

Refrain from making jokes or negative remarks that demean the abilities, skills, or aspects of co-workers.

Be patient and respectful when speaking with a caller that does not speak English clearly.

What are the characteristics when selecting an appointment book?

Its size in consideration of the amount of desk space available.

Its ability to accomodate the number of appointments made.

Comfort for writing.

Adequate space for all details necessary.

What is a matrix?

The advance preparation to enable the MA to schedule patients both accurately and efficiently.

What information should be marked before scheduling patients?

Times the physician is not available to see patients.

Hospital rounds, meetings.

Physician's days off, holidays, lunch/dinner breaks etc.

A certain number of patients are scheduled to arrive at the same time and the patients are seen in the order in which they arrive.

Wave Scheduling

Small groups of patients are scheduled at intervals throughout the hour.

Modified Wave Scheduling

Scheduling two patients to see the physician at the same time.

Double Booking

What should be done when scheduling a new patient?

Obtain and verify general information.

Gather appropriate information regarding a patient referral.

Determine the patient's chief complaint.

Make the patient aware of the various dates and times they are available to come in.

Enter the appropriate time for the appointment.

Determine the proper financial arrangments for the patient's appointment.

Provide directions as needed.

Verify information.

What should be done when scheduling established patients?

Gather the appropriate information in order to properly identify the patient.

Ask the reason for the patient's request for an appointment.

Determine which member of the practice they would like to see, if necessary.

Provide the patient with two options for the date and time they will be able to come in.

Enter the appropriate time for the appointment.

Verify information.

Provide patient with appointment card if necessary.

Immediate or urgent care for patients who need immediate assistance for recently-developed diagnoses.

Acute Care

A health professional who can diagnose and treat under the supervision of a physician.

Physician's Assistance (PA)

The physician who has overall responsibility for a hospitalized patient.

Attending Physician

A physician who provides direct care to patients admitted to a hospital.

Hospitalist

Care for patients who have diagnoses that health care workers can quickly resolve.

Short-Term Care

Contain medical instructions in case the patient cannot make or communicate decisions; also called a living will.

Advance Directives

Behavior and communication that inspires trust and confidence.

Professional Conduct

Transmission of information.

Communication

A patient who is a danger to other patients or staff, or seriously disrupts delivery of patient care.

Difficult Patient

A type of care delivered in response to an immediate health care need.

Emergent Care

A nurse who can diagnose and treat under the supervision of a physician; they can also prescribe medications.

Nurse Practioner

A legally binding request for the release of medical records of documentation.

Subpoena

A type of care for patients who do not need immediate assistance.

Non-Emergent Care

To organize and process.

Administrative

A system that is responsible for responding to community medical emergencies and treating and transporting injured or sick individuals to the appropriate health care service; also called the 911 system.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Care for patients who have chronic diagnoses.

Non-Acute Care

A series of regulations governing how and by whom patient information can be used.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

At least a 24-hr stay in a facility.

Admission

A form signed by a patient or health care facility that allows for copying and releasing of patient information.

Release of Information (ROI)

When a physician is permitted to admit their patients to a particular hospital.

Admitting Privileges

Another part of the process of ensuring accurate communication.

Repetition

A request by a physician for a patient to be seen by another physician.

Referral

Part of the process of making sure communications are accurately transmitted and received.

Confirmation

A physician's order for a medication, test, or treatment.

Prescription

A health care facility that provides skilled, long-term care to people who are medically stable, but can't care for themselves; also called nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, or assisted living facilities

Long-Term Care Facilities

An office providing non-acute, non-emergent, short-term care.

Walk-In Clinic

A facility that performs diagnostic tests on blood or other specimens and perform x-rays or EKGs.

Laboratory

A medical doctor who can diagnose illnesses and injuries, prescribe treatments, and perform procedures.

Physician

A system for classifying, recording, and summarizing financial information.

Accounting

Securing and processing money patients owe.

Billing

The recording part of the accounting process.

Bookkeeping

A form submitted to a third-party payer for reimbursement.

Claim

A legally binding agreement between two parties.

Contract

A small fee paid to a provider at the time services are rendered; the portion of a service fee that the patient must pay.

Copayment

A standard health insurance claim form.

CMS-1500

Standard codes used to designate procedures and tests.

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes

Term used to describe a provider's fee; denotes the fee is usual and reasonable, or acceptable.

Customary

Amount of money an individual must pay for health care expenses before insurance covers the cost; patient's share of cost.

Deductible

Treatments or services that health insurance companies will not pay.

Exclusions

Person or organization that has agreed to pay the bill(s) for medical services.

Guarantor

A type of health insurance company.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)