CHAA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CHAA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. How should a healthcare access associate handle a patient who insists on speaking only with a manager? → Acknowledge the request and attempt to assist, offering manager escalation if needed
2. Which of the following best describes a patient's 'effective date' on an insurance policy? → The date the insurance coverage begins and services will be covered
3. A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form differs from a standard advance directive primarily because it: → Is a physician-signed medical order that is immediately actionable by emergency personnel
4. What happens to financial responsibility if pre-authorization is not obtained before an elective service? → The patient may be responsible for the entire cost if insurance denies the claim
5. A patient arrives at registration visibly upset about a billing error. What is the most appropriate first response? → Acknowledge their frustration and actively listen before taking action
6. What is the purpose of an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) in the revenue cycle? → To detail how an insurance company processed a claim and what it will pay
7. A non-English speaking patient needs to complete registration. What is the correct approach? → Use a qualified medical interpreter or language line service
8. What does the prefix 'tachy-' mean in medical terminology? → Fast or rapid
9. A patient presents with two active insurance policies. Which principle governs which plan pays first? → Coordination of Benefits (COB)
10. Which metric measures the average number of days it takes a healthcare organization to collect payment after a service is provided? → Days in accounts receivable (Days in AR)
11. Which step in the revenue cycle involves verifying that a patient's insurance is active and that the provider is in-network before the date of service? → Eligibility and benefits verification
12. Under HIPAA, a patient's right to access their own medical records must generally be fulfilled within how many days? → 30 days
13. Which of the following pieces of information is most critical when submitting a pre-authorization request? → Clinical documentation supporting medical necessity.
14. What does the prefix 'hyper-' mean in medical terminology? → Above normal or excessive
15. What does the prefix 'hypo-' mean in medical terminology? → Below normal or deficient
16. The acronym RACE is used to guide response during a fire. What does the 'A' in RACE stand for? → Alarm
17. Which of the following is an example of a physical safeguard required by the HIPAA Security Rule? → Installing locked doors and access controls to limit entry to areas where ePHI is stored
18. What does 'prophylactic' mean in medical terminology? → Intended to prevent disease or infection
19. What is 'eligibility verification' in the context of patient scheduling and registration? → Checking that a patient's insurance plan is active and covers the intended service
20. What security measure should be in place when patient access staff use workstations in public areas? → Automatic screen lock timeout, privacy screens, and session logging
21. Why is insurance verification crucial in Patient Access Services? → To ensure eligibility for services and reduce claim denials
22. When should a patient access associate document a patient complaint? → Every time a patient expresses dissatisfaction, regardless of severity
23. When a patient presents with two active insurance plans, which process determines the order in which each plan pays? → Coordination of Benefits (COB)
24. In hospital registration, a 'no-show' is formally defined as which of the following? → A patient who failed to appear for a scheduled appointment without prior cancellation
25. What is a payment plan agreement in the context of patient collections? → A contract where the patient agrees to pay their balance in installments over time
26. What does the suffix '-plasty' indicate? → Surgical repair or reconstruction
27. What is the primary purpose of a remittance advice (RA) in the revenue cycle? → To explain the payment determination made by a payer on a submitted claim
28. Which action is the most appropriate first step when a claim is denied due to 'lack of medical necessity'? → Obtain and submit clinical documentation supporting the necessity of the service
29. While registering a patient who is coughing frequently, the Healthcare Access Associate should adhere to which infection control practice? → Standard Precautions
30. During patient registration, an access associate discovers the patient's address differs from what is on file. What is the correct action? → Update the address after verifying the change with the patient