Epic Skills Assessment Scheduling and Registration 1

Question 1

What is an 'appointment type' in EHR scheduling, and why does it matter for resource allocation?

Accepted Answer

A classification that defines duration, required resources, and visit purpose (new patient, follow-up, procedure), determining which slots are available and which staff/rooms are required

Answer

A label distinguishing in-person from telehealth visits only

Answer

The insurance authorization type required for the appointment

Answer

The billing code associated with a scheduled visit

Question 2

What is 'patient access' in the context of healthcare operations, and what does the department do?

Accepted Answer

The department responsible for patient registration, insurance verification, prior authorization, and financial counseling — the first point of contact for scheduled care

Answer

The IT department providing patients with EHR system access

Answer

The department managing patient portal accounts and passwords

Answer

The emergency department intake and triage area

Question 3

What is the difference between 'pre-registration' and 'registration' in patient access workflow?

Accepted Answer

Pre-registration gathers demographic and insurance data before the appointment; registration finalizes and verifies that information at the time of service

Answer

Pre-registration is done by the patient via portal; registration is always in-person

Answer

They are the same process done at different times by different staff

Answer

Registration is for inpatients only; pre-registration is for outpatients

Question 4

What is a 'scheduling template' in an EHR, and who configures it?

Accepted Answer

A pattern defining when appointment slots are available for a provider or resource, including slot types, durations, and how far in advance they open — configured by scheduling/operations administrators

Answer

A template note documenting the scheduled appointment details

Answer

A list of commonly scheduled procedures for quick order entry

Answer

An email template sent to patients confirming their appointments

Question 5

What is 'prior authorization' (PA), and when is it required in the scheduling/registration process?

Accepted Answer

Insurance approval obtained before performing a specific service (surgery, imaging, certain medications) to confirm coverage and payment; required by many insurers for high-cost or specialist services

Answer

Approval obtained from the department chair before scheduling a surgery

Answer

The patient's signature authorizing the service to be performed

Answer

Pre-approval for patient portal account creation

Question 6

What is an ADT transaction in hospital information systems?

Accepted Answer

Admit, Discharge, Transfer — events transmitted between systems (EHR, billing, lab, radiology) to update patient location and trigger associated workflows

Answer

Automated Diagnostic Testing — scheduled lab orders

Answer

Advanced Diagnostic Triage — ED acuity scoring

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Appointment, Documentation, Treatment — outpatient visit workflow

Question 7

What is a 'guarantor' in patient registration, and how does it differ from the patient?

Accepted Answer

The person financially responsible for the account (may be the patient, a parent, or spouse); the patient is the person receiving care, who may or may not be financially responsible

Answer

The physician guaranteeing the patient's care quality

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The insurance company guaranteeing payment of claims

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The hospital guaranteeing billing accuracy to the patient

Question 8

What is 'care gap' identification in scheduling and population health?

Accepted Answer

Identifying patients who are overdue for preventive services (mammograms, colonoscopies, vaccinations, A1c checks) and proactively outreaching to schedule appointments

Answer

Identifying gaps in the appointment schedule where slots are unfilled

Answer

Finding patients whose insurance has gaps in coverage

Answer

Identifying procedures that are not covered by the patient's insurance

Question 9

What is 'no-show rate,' and how do EHR scheduling tools help manage it?

Accepted Answer

The percentage of scheduled patients who don't arrive; EHR tools support automated reminders, overbooking rules, and waitlist management to optimize utilization

Answer

The rate at which the EHR system goes offline during peak hours

Answer

The rate of patients checked in but not seen by the provider

Answer

The percentage of slots blocked for provider administrative time

Question 10

What does 'insurance verification' at registration confirm?

Accepted Answer

That the patient's insurance is active on the date of service, the patient is covered under the plan, and the specific service will be covered (with applicable copay/deductible)

Answer

Only that the patient has presented a valid insurance card

Answer

That the insurance company has pre-authorized the specific service

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That the patient's previous claims have been paid by the insurer