CRCR Financial Counseling and Patient Financial Services

Question 1

What is the primary goal of financial counseling in the revenue cycle?

Accepted Answer

To help patients understand and manage their financial obligations for healthcare services

Answer

To maximize hospital revenue at all costs

Answer

To deny financial assistance to ineligible patients

Answer

To replace the role of the billing department

Question 2

Which federal program provides health coverage to individuals with low incomes, including families, pregnant women, and people with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Medicaid

Answer

Medicare

Answer

CHIP only

Answer

TRICARE

Question 3

A sliding fee scale in a financial assistance program bases a patient's discounted payment on which factor?

Accepted Answer

The patient's income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

Answer

The patient's credit score

Answer

The type of diagnosis the patient has

Answer

The physician's recommendation

Question 4

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nonprofit hospitals that want to maintain tax-exempt status must have a written financial assistance policy (FAP). Which of the following is a required element of the FAP?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility criteria for financial assistance, including whether free or discounted care is available

Answer

A list of all insurance contracts the hospital has signed

Answer

The names of all employees authorized to grant assistance

Answer

A record of all patients who previously received charity care

Question 5

What does the term 'charity care' refer to in healthcare financial services?

Accepted Answer

Care provided free of charge or at a reduced cost to patients who cannot afford to pay

Answer

Discounts offered to insured patients only

Answer

Donations made by physicians to the hospital

Answer

Government subsidies for hospital construction

Question 6

Which document is used by financial counselors to assess a patient's income, assets, and household size to determine eligibility for financial assistance programs?

Accepted Answer

Financial assistance application / charity care application

Answer

Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)

Answer

Assignment of Benefits form

Answer

Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) questionnaire

Question 7

A financial counselor is helping an uninsured patient who is scheduled for a non-emergency procedure. What is the BEST first step the counselor should take?

Accepted Answer

Screen the patient for insurance coverage options and financial assistance eligibility

Answer

Require the patient to pay the full estimated cost upfront before any counseling

Answer

Refer the patient to a collection agency immediately

Answer

Cancel the patient's appointment until payment arrangements are made