Deck 14: The Patient

Question 1

Before a small claims lawsuit can proceed,the court expects the _____ to have explored all other avenues of settlement.

A) plaintiff
B) bailiff
C) attorney
D) defendant

Answer 1

plaintiff

Question 2

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act addresses:

A) debt collection in hospitals.
B) abusive methods used by third-party collectors.
C) debt collection in nursing homes.
D) abusive methods used by healthcare facilities.

Answer 2

abusive methods used by third-party collectors.

Question 3

A useful method of accounting for small practices that manually captures information at the time the transaction takes place is called a/an _____ system.

A) easy write
B) time of transaction
C) one-write or pegboard
D) one-touch capture

Answer 3

one-write or pegboard

Question 4

An assignment of benefits is an arrangement by patients to allow:

A) payments to be made directly to the provider.
B) confidential information to be released.
C) another individual power of attorney.
D) benefits to be paid to a spouse.

Question 5

Which of the following is not an acceptable method for maximizing collection?

A) Ask the patient to sign a written agreement.
B) Ask the patient to make a down payment of at least 20%.
C) Contact the patient's employer and arrange for payment to be deducted from wages.
D) Contact a local credit bureau to find out if the patient is creditworthy.

Question 6

In a healthcare office,the form patients fill out providing name,address,employer,and health insurance information is typically called a/an:

A) patient survey form.
B) patient release form.
C) assignment of benefits.
D) patient information form.

Question 7

If a patient has no insurance listed on the patient information form,the health insurance professional should:

A) refuse to treat the patient.
B) ask the patient to pay up front.
C) offer the patient some payment options.
D) inquire as to why no insurance is listed.

Question 8

Patients who have either inadequate insurance or no insurance at all are referred to as:

A) deadbeats.
B) nonpayers.
C) self-pay patients.
D) red-flaggers.

Question 9

The Federal Truth in Lending Act (1968),Regulation Z allows for an installment payment plan of more than _____ payments.

A) two
B) four
C) six
D) none of the above; there is no such plan

Question 10

Most services offered by a healthcare facility are not tangible,meaning they cannot be seen or felt;therefore patients look for surrogates,which include

A) other patients in the facility.
B) question and answer forms.
C) office location, size, and layout.
D) distance of the facility from the patient's house.

Question 11

With few exceptions,the release of information contained in a patient's health record to a third party is:

A) always allowed.
B) prohibited by law and can never be released.
C) prohibited by law without written consent from the patient.
D) expected and encouraged for physician-to-physician discussion.

Question 12

The defendant is the party:

A) suing someone.
B) making the argument in court.
C) being sued.
D) making the judgment.

Question 13

Over the next 30 years,the number of Americans older than age _____ will increase considerably.

A) 95
B) 65
C) 45
D) 25

Question 14

A chronologic record of all patient transactions including previous balances,charges,payments,and current balances is a _____ journal.

A) daily
B) general
C) payroll
D) disbursements

Question 15

Websites can help individuals find:

A) physicians.
B) hospitals that offer certain procedures.
C) lifestyle advice and educational details.
D) all of the above

Question 16

It is human nature for patients to want to like their physicians.For these reasons,physicians should:

A) discuss their personal experiences.
B) never talk about any of their private issues.
C) talk to their patients about all their private problems.
D) reveal only enough information for their patients to relate to them.

Question 17

An organization that obtains or arranges for payment of money owed to a third party is a:

A) delinquent accounts department.
B) small claims court.
C) legal aid agency.
D) collection agency.

Question 18

Patient-staff encounters in a medical facility leave lasting impressions.These "encounters" begin when the patient:

A) arrives at the medical facility.
B) telephones for an appointment.
C) encounter has been completed.
D) is in the examination room.

Question 19

When using patient billing software,accuracy is crucial.Additionally,in case of power fluctuation or failure,it is also imperative to:

A) use state-of-the-art electronic equipment.
B) process information quickly.
C) keep the equipment clean.
D) create periodic back-up files.

Question 20

Healthcare offices send out statements periodically;this process is typically called a _____ cycle.

A) periodic
B) collection
C) statement
D) billing

Question 21

The act that states a business entity may not discriminate against a credit applicant on the basis of race,color,religion,national origin,age,sex,or marital status is the _____ Act.

A) Fair Credit Billing
B) Equal Credit Opportunity
C) Truth in Lending
D) Fair Debt Collection Practices

Question 22

The __________________ applies to individuals or businesses that offer or extend consumer credit if certain conditions are met.

Question 23

According to HIPAA,any individual or business involved in transferring data or carrying out transactions related to patient-protected health information is considered a/an __________.

Question 24

The entire group of patient ledgers is referred to as the _____________________.

Question 25

Recent Congressional legislation established a program that provides incentives to physicians and hospitals that use certified EMR technology in a meaningful manner,referred to as _______________.

Question 26

A listing of all expenses paid out to vendors such as building rent,office supplies,and salaries is called a _______________ journal.

Question 27

To protect patients' privacy,HIPAA requires all employees and staff (including volunteers)at healthcare facilities to sign a:

A) patient documentation form.
B) third-party payer contract.
C) confidentiality agreement.
D) release of information.

Question 28

Collection experts recommend that the most successful time period for making calls to patients with delinquent accounts is:

A) 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
B) noon to 2 p.m.
C) 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
D) they do not advocate any certain time period.

Question 29

The total amount of money collected divided by the total amount charged is called the ________________.

Question 30

The _____________________ introduced a new "Patient's Bill of Rights" that gives Americans more stability and flexibility needed to make informed choices about their health.

Question 31

Match the term with its definition.
A chronologic record of all patient transactions including previous balances,charges,payments,and current daily balances.

A) accounts receivable
B) general ledger and salaries
C) patient ledger
D) payroll ledger
E) accounts payable
F) general journal
G) disbursements journal
H) chronologic journal
I) core journal
J) activities journal
K) daily journal

Question 32

Match the term with its definition
The "core" of a practice's financial records

A) accounts receivable
B) general ledger and salaries
C) patient ledger
D) payroll ledger
E) accounts payable
F) general journal
G) disbursements journal
H) chronologic journal
I) core journal
J) activities journal
K) daily journal

Question 33

HIPAA's _____________________________ provisions require the HHS to adopt national standards for electronic healthcare transactions and national identifiers for providers,health plans,and employers.

Question 34

The most basic journal,which is a chronologic listing of each business and financial transaction is a/an:

A) general journal.
B) payroll journal.
C) disbursements journal.
D) accounts receivable ledger.

Question 35

Match the term with its definition
A listing of all expenses paid out to vendors,such as building rent,office supplies,and salaries

A) accounts receivable
B) general ledger and salaries
C) patient ledger
D) payroll ledger
E) accounts payable
F) general journal
G) disbursements journal
H) chronologic journal
I) core journal
J) activities journal
K) daily journal

Question 36

Match the term with its definition.
The entire grouping of patient ledgers

A) accounts receivable
B) general ledger and salaries
C) patient ledger
D) payroll ledger
E) accounts payable
F) general journal
G) disbursements journal
H) chronologic journal
I) core journal
J) activities journal
K) daily journal

Question 37

When the medical facility uses a computerized patient accounting system,a dependable ________________ is crucial.

Question 38

The act that addresses abusive methods used by third-party collectors-bill collectors hired to collect overdue bills-is called the _____ Act.

A) Fair Credit Billing
B) Equal Credit Opportunity
C) Truth in Lending
D) Fair Debt Collection Practices

Question 39

Match the term with its definition.
A separate record some offices keep for wages and salaries

A) accounts receivable
B) general ledger and salaries
C) patient ledger
D) payroll ledger
E) accounts payable
F) general journal
G) disbursements journal
H) chronologic journal
I) core journal
J) activities journal
K) daily journal

Question 40

When all identifiable elements are removed,the patient's information is,under most circumstances,considered ______________.

Question 41

List at least four of the five laws mentioned in the text that affect credit and collection.

Question 42

All medical staff should talk quietly among themselves or to patients so voices do not carry into adjacent rooms.

Question 43

When a new patient telephones for an appointment,giving the individual (over the phone)a range of what the initial fee will be is prohibited.

Question 44

A shabby reception room at a healthcare office can suggest shabby care to a new patient.

Question 45

List five things a healthcare practice might do to increase its financial success.

Question 46

Patients typically come to a healthcare office expecting certain things.List at least three of these.

Question 47

Match the term with its definition.
A chronologic accounting of a particular patient's (or family's)activities,including all charges and payments.

A) accounts receivable
B) general ledger and salaries
C) patient ledger
D) payroll ledger
E) accounts payable
F) general journal
G) disbursements journal
H) chronologic journal
I) core journal
J) activities journal
K) daily journal

Question 48

Individuals have found that the Internet offers access to a lot of relevant,quality healthcare information.

Question 49

Over the next 30 years,the number of Americans older than 65 is expected to drop by 20%.

Question 50

Patients are expected to pay as they go,just as retail stores expect customers to pay at the time of purchase.

Question 51

Many individuals today believe that their time is equally as valuable as the physician's.

Question 52

HIPAA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of individuals' health information.

Question 53

Name the three major groups that fall under the umbrella of "covered entities."

Question 54

If medical professionals want patients to reveal personal information,they must make the patient feel that their information will remain private and confidential.

Question 55

List three future trends in the patient-practice relationship.

Question 56

List at least five types of a patient's identifiable information.

Question 57

Match the term with its definition.
A chronologic listing of all transactions,considered the most basic of all office records

A) accounts receivable
B) general ledger and salaries
C) patient ledger
D) payroll ledger
E) accounts payable
F) general journal
G) disbursements journal
H) chronologic journal
I) core journal
J) activities journal
K) daily journal

Question 58

No matter how experienced and persuasive the health insurance professional or collection manager is,there always will be some bad debts in a healthcare practice.

Question 59

Patients normally have a good idea of what their medical care and treatment should cost before they make an appointment.

Question 60

Outline the steps involved in preparing for small claims litigation.

Question 61

Most healthcare practices are computerized to some extent.

Question 62

Computerized patient accounting typically begins with inputting demographic patient data.

Question 63

Billing policies and practices can differ from one healthcare practice to another.

Question 64

A HIPAA-covered entity can use or disclose protected health information for any purpose.

Question 65

Billing cycles for most medical practices are generally only performed once or twice a year.

Question 66

Collecting overdue accounts by phone is prohibited by law.

Question 67

An assignment of benefits is an arrangement whereby a patient requests that his or her healthcare payment be made by another family member.

Question 68

The healthcare facility staff should encourage patients to ask questions about their bills or payment/insurance process.

Question 69

Self-pay patients are referred to as "deadbeats" in most medical facilities.

Question 70

A disbursement journal is the most basic of journals and is a chronologic listing of transactions.

Question 71

Most collection agencies require at least 50% of the money they collect.

Question 72

A patient cannot correct or amend his or her own medical record;it must be done by the attending physician.

Question 73

To use the small claims process,the practice must retain an attorney.

Question 74

The Fair Credit Billing Act tells the business entity what to do if a customer claims they made a mistake in their billing.