Deck 32: Patient Billing,posting Patient Payments,and Collecting Fees

Question 1

When posting a payment to a patient's account,you must enter all but which of the following into the system?

A) date of the payment
B) previous balance
C) payment amount
D) form of payment

Answer 1

previous balance

Question 2

If a statute of limitations is 2 years,and the last date on the patient account was September 2016,it could be collected through:

A) September 2016
B) October 2016
C) September 2018
D) October 2018

Answer 2

September 2018

Question 3

The patient's appreciation for the services received is highest:

A) during the month following the service
B) during the week following the service
C) at the time of service
D) prior to arrival at the medical office

Answer 3

at the time of service

Question 4

If you make collection calls before or after the legal hours in your state,you can be liable for:

A) stalking
B) harassment
C) assault
D) filing false charges

Question 5

The easiest and fastest method of searching for an account in practice management (PM)software is a(n)____ search.

A) chronologic
B) omega
C) numeric
D) alpha

Question 6

The account statement does not typically include which type of information?

A) diagnosis information
B) deductibles
C) aging information
D) account number

Question 7

The best collection opportunity after face-to-face contact is by:

A) telephone
B) email
C) mailing a statement
D) mailing a collection letter

Question 8

An outsourced billing service does not _____ statements.

A) print
B) mail
C) create
D) sort

Question 9

Match each term with its definition.
The PM software is often integrated with this system that allows information to be pulled from it and populated in the financial components of the patient account

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 10

Collection agencies may charge _________ for their services.

A) $50
B) a percentage of the bill
C) 50 percent
D) $35

Question 11

A signed disclosure of finance charges form must be kept on file for:

A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 18 months
D) 2 years

Question 12

The Truth in Lending Act (TILA)requires the disclosure of finance charges if allowing a patient to pay in more than _____ installments.

A) two
B) four
C) six
D) eight

Question 13

An adjustment code would be used for which of the following?

A) canceled account balance
B) co-pay due at the time of service
C) payment made with a money order
D) payment made with a credit card

Question 14

It is recommended that you use which of the following words when composing collection letters?

A) neglected
B) ignored
C) failed
D) overlooked

Question 15

How often should you run the report that reflects accounts with delinquent balances?

A) weekly
B) biweekly
C) monthly
D) bimonthly

Question 16

When processing a credit balance,if a refund is due to a patient,you must:

A) apply the funds as a credit toward future services
B) verify that you have the patient's current address
C) deduct a small processing fee (usually no more than 5 percent)
D) send the check to the patient's insurance company

Question 17

It is recommended that a practice which uses monthly billing set aside ____ for processing and mailing statements.

A) an hour a day
B) a few hours a month
C) 1-2 days a month
D) 4-5 days a month

Question 18

Where do aging dates usually appear on a patient statement?

A) alongside the amount due
B) alongside the description of services
C) at the top or bottom
D) in the letterhead

Question 19

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)does not cover which type of debts?

A) business
B) personal
C) family
D) household

Question 20

Match each term with its definition.
The easiest and fastest method of finding an account in a PM system

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 21

Match each term with its definition.
Prohibits debt collectors from using abusive,unfair,or deceptive practices to collect from a patient or customer

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 22

Match each term with its definition.
These are vital for the financial health of a medical facility

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 23

Match each term with its definition.
Should not be accepted if it has more than one endorsement

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 24

​Money due to the practice is known as:

A) ​accounts payable
B) ​accounts receivable
C) ​account aging
D) year-to-date reports

Question 25

Match each term with its definition.
Person who has disappeared or moved to avoid payment of bills

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 26

Match each term with its definition.
Type of billing commonly used in large medical practices

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 27

Match each term with its definition.
The nation's consumer protection agency

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 28

Match each term with its definition.
Check made out to a patient by another unknown party

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 29

Match each term with its definition.
In written contracts,this starts from the date due

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 30

Match each term with its definition.
A way to identify accounts according to the length of time they have been delinquent

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 31

Match each term with its definition.
Type of billing that is typically more efficient in smaller medical practices

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 32

Match each term with its definition.
Explains to a patient how much money he or she owes to a medical facility

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 33

Match each term with its definition.
These must be accurate in every detail for proper patient billing

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 34

Match each term with its definition.
Generally come into play when a bill is delinquent for more than 6 months.

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 35

Match each term with its definition.
Requires a medical practice to provide disclosure of finance charges when it offers an installment payment plan of a certain duration to a patient

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 36

Match each term with its definition.
Petition to a court by an individual who is stating that he or she cannot pay any debt incurred

A)third-party check
B)postal money order
C)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D)Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
E)Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
F)validation notice
G)collection agencies
H)statute of limitations
I)skip
J)bankruptcy

Question 37

Match the type of adjustment made to a patient's account with its definition.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Most offices avoid this if at all possible because they are a costly service to the provider or medical facility

A)nonsufficient funds check
B)​collection agency transaction
C)​credit balance
D)third party

Question 38

Match each term with its definition.
Contracting out a specific business function to another company,rather than having your own company manage that specific work

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 39

Match each term with its definition.
Computer terminology for a patient ledger

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 40

Match each term with its definition.
Statements or itemized bills are most often generated using this

A)patient account statements
B)outsourcing
C)monthly billing
D)cycle billing
E)practice management (PM)software system
F)electronic medical record (EMR)system
G)account history
H)alpha search
I)patient payments
J)aging of accounts

Question 41

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Allows office staff to handle the accounts in a more efficient manner and with more flexibility

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 42

Match the type of adjustment made to a patient's account with its definition.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
A check made out to the patient by an unknown party

A)nonsufficient funds check
B)​collection agency transaction
C)​credit balance
D)third party

Question 43

Match the type of adjustment made to a patient's account with its definition.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​It is your responsibility to identify this and issue a refund check to the patient or the insurance company

A)nonsufficient funds check
B)​collection agency transaction
C)​credit balance
D)third party

Question 44

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Accounts are divided into groups to correspond to the number of times you will be billing

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 45

Match the type of adjustment made to a patient's account with its definition.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Send no further statements,and refer any patient calls regarding the account to them

A)nonsufficient funds check
B)​collection agency transaction
C)​credit balance
D)third party

Question 46

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Typically is more efficient in smaller medical practices

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 47

​There are a number of exceptions to the usual billing and collection procedures.Which of the following would not be considered an exception?

A) ​A person who has disappeared or moved to avoid payment of bills (the patient is a skip).
B) ​Some providers complete physical examinations for individuals applying for insurance coverage;the bill is sent to the insurance company.
C) ​Providers who specialize in sports medicine and examine athletes might be paid by the school or team referring the patient.
D) ​The provider might examine a patient in consultation in a legal claim,and,in this case,the person or agency requesting the consultation is responsible for the charges.

Question 48

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​It is important for statements to be mailed in a timely manner so patients receive them by the first of each month

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 49

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Allows information to be pulled from the EMR and populated in the financial components of the patient account

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 50

Match the type of adjustment made to a patient's account with its definition.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Deduct the amount of the check from the medical office's checking account balance

A)nonsufficient funds check
B)​collection agency transaction
C)​credit balance
D)third party

Question 51

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Statements or itemized bills are most often generated through practice management (PM)software

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 52

Match the type of adjustment made to a patient's account with its definition.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​In the patient's account,add the amount of the check back into the account by entering the amount in parentheses in the paid column

A)nonsufficient funds check
B)​collection agency transaction
C)​credit balance
D)third party

Question 53

​Special circumstances exist for the medical assistant concerning collections.These circumstances include all but:

A) ​patients whose accounts are less than 30 days old
B) ​skip patients
C) ​patients under bankruptcy situations
D) ​deceased patients

Question 54

Match the type of adjustment made to a patient's account with its definition.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Exists when an account is overpaid,and a refund must be made back to the patient or a health insurance company by the medical facility

A)nonsufficient funds check
B)​collection agency transaction
C)​credit balance
D)third party

Question 55

Match the type of adjustment made to a patient's account with its definition.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Meaning the patient does not have enough money in the bank account to cover the amount of the check

A)nonsufficient funds check
B)​collection agency transaction
C)​credit balance
D)third party

Question 56

There are certain circumstances that warrant a statement be withheld (not generated / not sent to the patient).Which of the following is not considered one of the "certain circumstances"?

A) relatives of the provider
B) workers' compensation claims
C) accounts of government-assisted patients
D) families of patients who have recently passed away

Question 57

​The computer-generated statement is considered to be an efficient collection method for the office because it not only shows an itemized account of all transactions but the age of the account.The statement will show the portion of the amount due that is:

A) ​current
B) ​over 30 days
C) ​over 60 days
D) ​all of the above

Question 58

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​Commonly used in large medical practices with a large number of statements sent out each month

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 59

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​The same cycle is maintained each month so that patients learn when to expect your statement

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 60

​Match the method of billing with its characteristics.Note: Answers may be used more than once.
​One to two days should be set aside for processing and mailing the statements

A)​monthly billing
B)​cycle billing
C)​computerized billing

Question 61

​When composing collection letters,avoid words that tend to antagonize,such as:

A) ​ignored
B) ​missed
C) ​overlooked
D) ​forgotten

Question 62

​The specific provisions of the Truth in Lending Act that explains in great detail who and what is covered by the regulation and gives specific disclosure and other requirements that have to be met for open-end and closed-end credit transactions are implemented through:

A) ​the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
B) ​the practice and compliance department
C) ​the quality department
D) ​Regulation Z

Question 63

​When it is necessary to collect a bill owed by a deceased patient,the statement is sent to the estate of the deceased in care of any known next of kin at the patient's last known address.In this circumstance,which of the following statements is true?

A) ​Do not address the statement to a relative unless you have a signed agreement that that person will be responsible for the bills.
B) ​Do not contact the probate court to obtain the name of the administrator of the estate if the patient expired in a nursing home and had no known next of kin.
C) ​Send only to the next of kin as the responsible party for the bill.
D) ​All of the above

Question 64

​Credit transactions over $25,000 are exempt from the TILA unless:

A) ​the patient has signed a promissory note
B) ​the provider/practice has waived the fee
C) ​there is a security interest taken in real property or a mobile home
D) ​there is no way to collect from the patient or his/her family

Question 65

​If the patient balance is $450 and the patient agrees to pay $45 a month on the twelfth of each month with no interest being charged,it will take ________ to pay the bill in full.

A) ​10 months
B) ​12 months
C) ​45 days
D) ​450 days

Question 66

​The first step in the collections process is to:

A) ​use a certified collection agency
B) ​withhold statements for patients with accounts exceeding 90 days past due
C) ​firmly demand payment in person and on the telephone
D) ​advise patients of the office policy regarding payment when they call to schedule an appointment

Question 67

​Which of the following would be considered a step(s)to locate a skip?

A) ​Place a telephone call to see whether the old phone number was transferred to a new address.
B) ​Call referring individuals to try to obtain a new address for the patient,although you must not indicate your reason for needing the new address other than that you need to verify it.
C) ​Use the Internet as a tool to locate a skip patient.
D) ​All of the above

Question 68

​Accounts are considered current if within ____ days of the billing date.

A) ​30
B) ​60
C) ​90
D) ​120