Patient Scheduling and Appointments Flashcards
6 cards from real CMAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Patient Scheduling and Appointments flashcards as text
What scheduling system allows same-day appointments?
Answer: Open access scheduling
Open access (advanced access) scheduling reserves most slots for same-day requests, reducing wait times.
A patient cancels 10 minutes before their appointment. How should the CMAA handle this?
Answer: Document the cancellation, follow policy, and try to fill the slot from the wait list
Document the late cancellation, apply office policy regarding fees, and attempt to fill the slot from the wait list.
What is cluster scheduling?
Answer: Grouping similar appointment types in designated time blocks
Cluster scheduling groups similar visit types into specific blocks, like physicals in the morning and follow-ups in the afternoon.
The physician is running 45 minutes behind. What should the CMAA do?
Answer: Inform patients, offer to reschedule, and adjust the remaining schedule
Inform waiting patients of the delay, offer rescheduling options, and work to adjust the remaining schedule.
What is a recall system in a medical practice?
Answer: Reminding patients to return for periodic or follow-up care
A recall system tracks and reminds patients when due for screenings, preventive care, and chronic disease follow-ups.
Why should new patients be allocated more time than established patients?
Answer: They need additional time for registration, history intake, and thorough initial examination
New patients need extra time for paperwork, history taking, comprehensive examination, and relationship building.