True/False
Indicate whether the
statement is true or false.
|
|
|
1.
|
Credit information is not as confidential as
patient medical information.
|
|
|
2.
|
Patients appreciate discussion of fees in advance
of procedures.
|
|
|
3.
|
The guarantor is not always the
patient.
|
|
|
4.
|
It is not the responsibility of the surgeon’s
office staff to discuss fees that anesthesiologists and assistant surgeons might
charge.
|
|
|
5.
|
Repeated telephone collection calls are ok if the
patient owes a balance.
|
|
|
6.
|
The physician is the only person who should sign
collection letters.
|
|
|
7.
|
When a patient is classified as a
“skip,” the office should wait 1 month before initiating collection
efforts.
|
Multiple Choice
Identify the
choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
|
|
|
8.
|
Which factor determines whether patients must sign
a truth in lending disclosure as required by Regulation Z?
a. | Their bill is divided into two
payments. | b. | The physician includes a finance
charge. | c. | The person has a poor credit
history. | d. | Payments will be made over a period longer than 6
months. |
|
|
|
9.
|
Which of the following information must not be
given out when responding to a request for credit information on a patient?
a. | The highest amount the account has ever
reached | b. | Current balance on the patient’s
account | c. | Your opinion about the patient’s ability to
pay | d. | How long the patient has had an
account |
|
|
|
10.
|
Which is the best way to work with patients
regarding financial matters?
a. | Always apologize for having to ask them for
payment. | b. | Discuss billing policies only if the patient asks about
them. | c. | Be very firm about enforcing office payment
policies. | d. | Explain the office financial policies when they make an
appointment. |
|
|
|
11.
|
Identify the statement about medical office credit
policies that is not a recommended practice.
a. | Include billing, insurance, and collection
procedures. | b. | Write fairly
detailed guidelines to follow when making credit decisions. | c. | Develop very general policies so that each account can be considered
individually. | d. | Fully disclose
these policies to patients. |
|
|
|
12.
|
Which of the following would be the least helpful
for encouraging patients to make prompt payments?
a. | Clearly itemized statements | b. | Self-addressed envelopes included with statements | c. | Sending collection letters to all patients with a balance
due | d. | Firmly stated policies regarding collection
procedures |
|
|
|
13.
|
When preparing the first statements sent to
patients to bill for medical services, the charges should be itemized:
a. | if they were not explained to the patient before he
received the services | b. | on all first
statements sent out | c. | for bills that
will also be submitted to an insurance carrier | d. | if many of your
patients call with billing questions |
|
|
|
14.
|
The smallest percentage of people who do not pay
their medical bills consists of people who:
a. | are disorganized and
irresponsible | b. | are dissatisfied
with the physician’s services | c. | spend more than
they earn | d. | never intend to
pay |
|
|
|
15.
|
Legal and appropriate procedures that you can use
when attempting to locate patients with outstanding balances who move and leave no forwarding
addresses include all of the following except:
a. | informing the patient’s employers that money is
owed to the physician | b. | calling the
emergency contact listed on the patient information sheet | c. | calling references that are listed on patient registration
cards | d. | asking neighbors for information about patients’
new locations |
|
|
|
16.
|
When a patient files for bankruptcy, the
appropriate procedure is to:
a. | attempt to collect from the patient’s insurance
company | b. | bill the patient as usual | c. | contact the patient directly and demand payment in
full | d. | file a creditor’s claim with the court and/or
write off the bill |
|
|
|
17.
|
Which of the following is true about giving patient
estimates for treatment?
a. | It may help simplify collection by preventing
misunderstandings. | b. | It may help to
avoid forgetting that a fee was quoted. | c. | It may help
eliminate the possibility of later misquoting the fee. | d. | All of the above |
|
|
|
18.
|
When using the telephone to collect accounts, the
medical assistant should:
a. | call at whatever time the patient can be
reached | b. | try to get a definite commitment on a date that payment
will be made | c. | insist on payment
within 2 weeks | d. | apologize for
calling and requesting payment |
|
|
|
19.
|
Which of the following times is not acceptable for
making collection calls?
a. | 9:00 AM | b. | 11:30 AM | c. | 8:00 AM | d. | 9:30 PM |
|
|
|
20.
|
Which of the following types of billing sends
statements at given times of the month, such as one quarter of the accounts receivable the first
week, and so on through the month?
a. | Monthly billing | b. | Cycle billing | c. | Third-party
billing | d. | Twice-a-month
billing |
|