NCCT National Certification Test for Medical Office Assistant - Part I

Vocabulary and key concepts from the NCCT National Certification Test for Medical Office Assistant Part I practice exam.

Credit Bureau membership

Allows providers to obtain information regarding a patient's employment, previous debt payment history, and previous residences, but does not provide the amount of money in their bank account.

Aging an account

The process of performing an analysis of an account based on time.

Credit Refusal Requirements

When credit is denied, the medical assistant must notify the patient in writing, include the criteria for refusal, and name the credit bureau used.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

A law that allows a medical assistant to contact a patient at work if they have been unable to reach the patient at home.

Five-day debt notification rule

The requirement that the amount of debt and the name of the creditor must be mailed to the patient within 5 days of initial collection contact.

Truth in Lending Disclosure form

A form that must be completed and signed by the patient whenever a payment plan is instituted.

Truth in Lending Consumer Credit Cost Disclosure Law

Requires providers to state due dates, disclose all costs prior to the time of service, and state how the patient balance was incurred.

Drawer

The person who writes the check, also referred to as the payer.

Common types of checks

Includes Cashier's checks, Certified checks, and Counter checks.

Check endorsements

The three valid types used by a medical assistant are Blank, Full, and Restrictive endorsements.

ABA routing numbers

Bank identification numbers located at the top right of a check.

Postdated check

A check that is written with a date set in the future.

NSF (Not Sufficient Funds)

A notification indicating there is not enough money in an account to cover a written check.

Joint checking account

An account that may require the signature of one or both owners depending on the specific account terms.

Patient account adjustment

A change in a balance used for professional courtesy, uncollectible debt, or contract adjustments, but never used to alter services in a patient's chart.

Accounts receivable

The accounts that owe money to the medical office.

Petty cash

A small amount of cash kept in the office to pay for non-recurring small purchases; records are kept to prevent loss due to theft.

Fee schedule

A document that includes the CPT code for a procedure and the corresponding charge.

Statute of limitations

The legal time limit set for filing a collection suit on a past-due account.

AMA (American Medical Association)

The organization that deems it ethical to assess finance charges or late fees on accounts.

Disbursements

Any payment made by the medical office for goods or services.

Accounts payable

Monies owed by the business, usually including payroll, taxes, supplies, equipment, and practice-related services.

Double-entry system equation

$$\text{Assets} = \text{Capital} + \text{Liability}$$