Chapter 9

demographics

Statistical data of a population. In healthcare, this includes the patient's name, address, date of birth, employment, and other details.

disruption

An unexpected event that throws a plan into disorder; an interruption that prevents a system or process from continuing as usual or as expected.

established patient

A patient who has been treated by the healthcare provider within the past 3 years.

expediency

(ik SPEE dee uhn see) A means of achieving a particular end, as in a situation requiring urgency or caution.

follow-up (recheck) appointment

An appointment type used when a patient needs to see the provider after a condition should have been resolved or to monitor an ongoing condition, such as hypertension. Also known as a recheck appointment.

integral

(IN ti gruhl Essential; being an indispensable part of a whole.

interval

Space of time between events.

matrix

(MEY triks) The environment in which something is created or takes shape. A base on which to build.

no-show

Failure of a patient to keep an appointment without advance notice.

Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)

A written document describing the healthcare facilit's privacy practices. The patient must be Provided with the NPP and sign an acknowledgment of receipt.

parameters

(puh RAM it ers) Rules that control how something should be done; guidelines or boundaries.

patient portal

A secure online website that gives patients 24-hour access to personal health information using a username and password.

practice management software

A type of software that allows the user to enter demographic information, schedule appointments, maintain lists of insurance payers, perform billing tasks, and generate reports.

preauthorization

A process required by some insurance carriers in which the provider obtains permission to perform certain procedures or services or refers a patient to a specialist.

precertification

The process of determining if a procedure or service is covered by the insurance plan and what the reimbursement is for that procedure or service.

proficiency

(pruh FISH uhn see) Skilled as a result of training or practice.

progress notes

Documentation in the medical record to track the

patient's condition and progress.

screening

A system for examining and separating into different groups; in the healthcare facility, it means determining the severity of illness that patients experience and prioritizing appointments based on that severity.

triage

(tree AHZH) To sort out and classify the injured; used in the military and emergency settings to determine the priority of patients to be treated.

verification of eligibility

The process of confirming health insurance coverage for the patient.