CMA Administrative Office Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which scheduling method assigns specific appointment blocks to particular types of visits, such as physicals in the morning and follow-ups in the afternoon?
- Wave scheduling
- Stream scheduling
- Cluster scheduling (Correct answer)
- Double-booking
Correct answer: Cluster scheduling
Cluster scheduling groups similar appointment types into designated time blocks to improve workflow efficiency.
Question 2: When a patient calls to cancel an appointment, the medical assistant should FIRST:
- Document the cancellation in the patient record
- Ask the reason for cancellation
- Offer to reschedule the appointment (Correct answer)
- Notify the physician immediately
Correct answer: Offer to reschedule the appointment
Offering to reschedule ensures continuity of care before documenting or asking for reasons.
Question 3: Which document authorizes a third party to act on a patient's behalf for healthcare decisions?
- Advance directive
- HIPAA authorization form
- Durable power of attorney for healthcare (Correct answer)
- Release of information form
Correct answer: Durable power of attorney for healthcare
A durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions when the patient cannot.
Question 4: The term 'superbill' in a medical office refers to:
- An invoice sent to the hospital for supplies
- A combined encounter form listing diagnosis and procedure codes for billing (Correct answer)
- A monthly statement sent to patients
- A bulk insurance claim form
Correct answer: A combined encounter form listing diagnosis and procedure codes for billing
A superbill (encounter form) lists ICD and CPT codes used to generate insurance claims after each patient visit.
Question 5: When filing medical records alphabetically, which name is filed FIRST?
- St. James, Robert
- Saint James, Robert
- Santana, Roberto
- San James, Robert (Correct answer)
Correct answer: San James, Robert
In alphabetical filing, 'San James' precedes 'Saint James,' 'Santana,' and 'St. James' because 'San' sorts before 'Sai' and 'San' and 'St' is treated as 'Saint.'
Question 6: Which type of appointment scheduling allows the first patient to be seen at the start of the hour and subsequent patients every 15 minutes?
- Wave scheduling
- Stream (fixed interval) scheduling (Correct answer)
- Modified wave scheduling
- Open access scheduling
Correct answer: Stream (fixed interval) scheduling
Stream scheduling assigns each patient a fixed time slot at regular intervals throughout the day.
Question 7: A patient requests copies of their medical records. Under HIPAA, the practice must fulfill this request within:
- 10 calendar days
- 30 calendar days (Correct answer)
- 60 calendar days
- 90 calendar days
Correct answer: 30 calendar days
HIPAA requires covered entities to provide patients access to their records within 30 calendar days, with a possible 30-day extension.
CMA Administrative Office Procedures 2
Which scheduling method assigns specific appointment blocks to particular types of visits, such as physicals in the morning and follow-ups in the afternoon?