NRCMA Administrative Skills 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which scheduling method assigns specific appointment times to individual patients throughout the day?

Stream scheduling (Correct answer)
Wave scheduling
Open-access scheduling
Modified wave scheduling

Correct answer: Stream scheduling

Stream scheduling assigns each patient a specific appointment time slot, distributing patients evenly throughout the day to minimize waiting.

Stream scheduling (also called time-specified scheduling) gives each patient a distinct appointment slot, typically every 10–20 minutes. This creates a predictable workflow and is the most common method in outpatient clinics. Wave scheduling clusters multiple patients at the top of each hour, while open-access (same-day) scheduling holds slots for walk-ins.

Question 2: A patient calls requesting their laboratory results. The medical assistant should first:

Read the results over the phone immediately
Verify the patient's identity before releasing any information (Correct answer)
Tell the patient results are unavailable
Transfer the call to the billing department

Correct answer: Verify the patient's identity before releasing any information

HIPAA requires verification of patient identity before disclosing any protected health information, including lab results.

Under HIPAA, a covered entity must verify the identity of any person requesting PHI. The medical assistant should confirm at least two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) before discussing lab results. Releasing information without verification is a HIPAA violation that can result in fines and disciplinary action.

Question 3: Which form is completed by the patient to designate who may receive their medical information?

Advance directive
Authorization for release of information (Correct answer)
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Assignment of benefits form

Correct answer: Authorization for release of information

An Authorization for Release of Information (ROI) form specifies exactly who may receive a patient's PHI and for what purpose.

The Authorization for Release of Information must include the patient's name, the specific information to be released, the name of the receiving party, the purpose, an expiration date, and the patient's signature. The HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices explains how the practice uses PHI but does not authorize third-party release.

Question 4: When posting payments in a manual pegboard system, the daysheet records:

Only insurance payments
All daily financial transactions including charges, payments, and adjustments (Correct answer)
Only cash transactions
Patient demographic information

Correct answer: All daily financial transactions including charges, payments, and adjustments

The daysheet (daily log) in a pegboard system captures all transactions: charges, payments, and adjustments for every patient seen that day.

The pegboard system uses carbonless forms aligned on a pegboard so writing on the receipt/charge slip simultaneously copies to the patient ledger and daysheet. The daysheet totals all charges, payments, and adjustments, providing a daily financial report. End-of-day reconciliation confirms daysheet totals match the cash drawer and encounter form counts.

Question 5: An ICD-10-CM code is used to report:

Medical procedures and services
Diagnoses and conditions (Correct answer)
Durable medical equipment
Drug prescriptions

Correct answer: Diagnoses and conditions

ICD-10-CM codes identify diagnoses, symptoms, and conditions and are required on insurance claims to justify medical necessity.

ICD-10-CM codes are diagnosis codes required on all insurance claims to justify medical necessity. CPT codes report procedures and services. HCPCS Level II codes cover durable medical equipment and supplies. Correct ICD-10-CM coding is essential for claim reimbursement.

Question 6: Which type of filing system uses a color-coded label system to identify files by the first two letters of the patient's last name?

Alphabetic filing (Correct answer)
Numeric filing
Subject filing
Terminal digit filing

Correct answer: Alphabetic filing

Color-coded alphabetic filing assigns a specific color to each letter, arranging files A–Z so misfiled records are immediately visible by color pattern breaks.

Color-coded alphabetic filing assigns a specific color to each letter of the alphabet. Files are arranged A–Z, and misfiled records are immediately visible because the color pattern breaks. Numeric filing assigns patient ID numbers and is preferred for large practices. Terminal digit filing uses the last digits of a number for distribution across shelving units.

NRCMA Administrative Skills 2

Which scheduling method assigns specific appointment times to individual patients throughout the day?