Mixed Deck — All CMAA Topics Flashcards
100 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 20 Mixed Deck — All CMAA Topics flashcards as text
The medical administrative assistant discovers a box of gauze pads in the supply closet that expired six months ago. The MOST appropriate action is to:
Answer: Remove and dispose of them per facility policy and replace with current stock
Expired supplies must be removed from use and disposed of according to facility and regulatory policies. Using expired medical supplies risks patient safety and creates legal liability. Proper disposal documentation may also be required.
How should reminders be handled for patients without phone or internet?
Answer: Mail appointment reminder cards with sufficient lead time
Mailed reminder cards sent 7-10 days before the appointment remain effective for patients without modern technology.
A patient's complaint of a persistent cough and sore throat would be documented in which section of a SOAP note?
Answer: S - Subjective
The "Subjective" section of a SOAP note includes the patient's chief complaint and their own description of their symptoms, feelings, and history related to the visit. It is the information the patient tells the provider.
A primary care physician directs a patient to see a cardiologist. The medical administrative assistant's responsibility in this workflow is to:
Answer: Generate and transmit the referral order to the specialist's office and verify it was received
The administrative assistant is responsible for processing the referral order — sending the physician-generated referral to the specialist, confirming receipt, and often verifying that the referral is authorized by the patient's insurance plan before the appointment occurs.
What is a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)?
Answer: A written agreement ensuring a vendor will protect PHI
A BAA establishes how a third-party vendor must protect PHI, specifying permitted uses and required safeguards.
What is the purpose of a financial responsibility agreement during intake?
Answer: Establish the patient's obligation to pay for uncovered services and outline payment expectations
This agreement establishes payment obligations for uncovered services and outlines billing and collection policies.
Which of the following is considered a clean claim?
Answer: A claim with all required data and no errors
A clean claim has all required information filled in correctly with no errors, allowing processing without additional investigation.
How should confidential staff conversations about patient care take place?
Answer: In a private area away from patients, using minimum necessary information
Patient care discussions should occur privately where they cannot be overheard, using only minimum necessary information.
What is the correct meaning of the medical abbreviation 'Dx'?
Answer: Diagnosis
Dx is the standard medical abbreviation for diagnosis, used widely in patient charts and documentation.
To minimize supply shortages without requiring a full office closure for counting, which inventory approach is considered BEST practice for a medical office?
Answer: Using a perpetual inventory system with regular cycle counts to maintain ongoing accuracy
A perpetual inventory system continuously tracks stock levels as items are used and received. Cycle counts — counting a rotating subset of items on a schedule — keep the system accurate without requiring a full shutdown. This approach reduces shortages and discrepancies while minimizing disruption to practice operations.
A patient has missed their appointment without providing any notification. What is the appropriate term for this, and what is the CMAA's first responsibility?
Answer: No-show; Document the event in the patient's record
A patient who does not arrive for a scheduled appointment and does not call to cancel is termed a 'no-show'. The first and most critical step is to document this in the patient's medical record. This creates a legal record and is essential for maintaining scheduling integrity and enforcing office policies.
What does "H & P" on a medical record mean?
Answer: history and physical.
History and physical are referred to as ""H & P"" in the medical file. Other frequently used acronyms include: - Hx is the history. - Diagnosis is a Dx. - I & O stand for intake and outflow. and etc.
A patient requests a copy of their own medical records. Under HIPAA, the practice must generally fulfill this request within how many days?
Answer: 30 days
HIPAA's Privacy Rule requires covered entities to provide access to records within 30 days, with one 30-day extension if needed.
Which statement best describes the difference between a co-pay and a deductible?
Answer: A co-pay is a fixed amount paid per visit; a deductible is the annual amount paid before insurance benefits begin
A co-pay is a set fee due at each service encounter, while a deductible is the yearly amount a patient must pay before the insurer begins covering costs.
What does 'tachycardia' describe?
Answer: Rapid heart rate
Tachycardia is an abnormally rapid heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute in adults.
A claim is denied for 'lack of medical necessity.' What should the CMAA do?
Answer: Review denial, gather supporting documentation, and file an appeal
Review the denial reason, work with clinical team for supporting documentation, and file a formal appeal within the payer's deadline.
When a patient pays with a personal check and it is returned due to insufficient funds, what should the medical office do first?
Answer: Notify the patient and request payment via cash or money order
The first step is to notify the patient of the returned check and request immediate payment by cash or money order.
Which of the following documents, required by HIPAA, must be provided to patients to inform them about how their protected health information (PHI) will be used and disclosed?
Answer: Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires most healthcare providers to develop and distribute a Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP). This document explains to patients their rights concerning their PHI and details how the medical office may use and disclose their information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
What is the significance of professional networking for CMAAs?
Answer: Career advancement, CE resources, industry updates, and peer support
Networking provides career development, continuing education access, industry awareness, peer support, and enhanced reputation.
Which scheduling method groups patients with similar conditions or needs into the same time block?
Answer: Cluster scheduling
Cluster scheduling groups patients with similar needs (e.g., all diabetic checks together) to improve workflow efficiency.