CMAA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant MCQ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient calls requesting their lab results over the phone. Which action is most appropriate for the medical administrative assistant?
- Read results aloud immediately to save time
- Verify patient identity before releasing any information (Correct answer)
- Transfer the call directly to the billing department
- Ask the patient to submit a written request only
Correct answer: Verify patient identity before releasing any information
Patient identity must be verified before releasing any PHI to comply with HIPAA regulations.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes a superbill in medical billing?
- A monthly statement sent to insurance companies
- An itemized form listing services, diagnosis codes, and fees for a patient visit (Correct answer)
- A document authorizing payment directly to the provider
- A summary of the patient's annual deductible status
Correct answer: An itemized form listing services, diagnosis codes, and fees for a patient visit
A superbill is a detailed encounter form capturing CPT and ICD codes plus charges used for claims submission.
Question 3: When scheduling a follow-up appointment, a patient mentions they have a new insurance plan. What should the assistant do first?
- Proceed with scheduling and update insurance at the next visit
- Collect the new insurance card information and verify eligibility before the visit (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to contact their old insurer to transfer records
- Reschedule the appointment until insurance is confirmed
Correct answer: Collect the new insurance card information and verify eligibility before the visit
Collecting and verifying the new insurance information ensures accurate billing and prevents claim denials.
Question 4: Which federal law mandates that employers with 20 or more employees offer continuation of health coverage after a qualifying life event?
- HIPAA
- COBRA (Correct answer)
- ADA
- FMLA
Correct answer: COBRA
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) requires continuation coverage options for qualifying events.
Question 5: A medical office uses a matrix scheduling system. What is the primary purpose of this system?
- To track employee payroll and hours worked
- To block out times when the provider is unavailable for appointments (Correct answer)
- To generate automated billing statements
- To document patient chief complaints before the visit
Correct answer: To block out times when the provider is unavailable for appointments
A scheduling matrix establishes when providers are available and blocks time for meetings, procedures, or days off.
Question 6: Which type of advance directive specifically designates another person to make healthcare decisions on a patient's behalf?
- Living will
- DNR order
- Healthcare proxy (durable power of attorney for healthcare) (Correct answer)
- POLST form
Correct answer: Healthcare proxy (durable power of attorney for healthcare)
A healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney for healthcare appoints a specific agent to make decisions if the patient is incapacitated.
Question 7: An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) shows a claim was denied for 'duplicate billing.' What does this mean?
- The same claim was submitted more than once for the same service (Correct answer)
- The patient has two insurance policies that both paid
- The provider billed for a service not covered under the plan
- The patient's deductible was applied incorrectly
Correct answer: The same claim was submitted more than once for the same service
Duplicate billing occurs when the same claim is submitted multiple times for an identical date of service and procedure.
CMAA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant MCQ 3
A patient calls requesting their lab results over the phone.
Which action is most appropriate for the medical administrative assistant?