CMA Administrative Office Procedures 5

Question 1

Which federal regulation requires medical offices to provide a written Notice of Privacy Practices to patients?

Accepted Answer

HIPAA Privacy Rule

Answer

The HIPAA Privacy Rule mandates that covered entities give patients a Notice of Privacy Practices describing how their PHI may be used and disclosed.

Question 2

A petty cash fund is used in a medical office to:

Accepted Answer

Cover small, incidental office expenses without writing a check

Answer

Petty cash provides ready cash for minor expenses like postage or office supplies that are impractical to pay by check.

Question 3

When a patient's insurance claim is denied with a code indicating 'not medically necessary,' the FIRST step the medical assistant should take is to:

Accepted Answer

Review the claim and physician documentation to determine if an appeal is warranted

Answer

Reviewing documentation allows the office to determine whether additional clinical information or a corrected claim can support a successful appeal.

Question 4

A 'matrix' in appointment scheduling refers to:

Accepted Answer

A grid showing which time slots are unavailable due to physician absence, lunch, or hospital rounds

Answer

Establishing a matrix blocks out times when the physician is unavailable so that appointments are only scheduled in open slots.

Question 5

Under HIPAA, which of the following does NOT require a specific patient authorization before disclosure?

Accepted Answer

Disclosing PHI to another provider for treatment purposes

Answer

HIPAA allows disclosure of PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without written authorization; sharing with attorneys, employers, or life insurers requires authorization.

Certified Medical Assistant Exam Practice Test

Certified Medical Assistant Exam Practice Test

CMA Administrative Office Procedures 5