PAR Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the PAR exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 PAR Exam Format at a Glance
📚 PAR Topics to Study (69)
✍️ Sample PAR Questions & Answers
1. The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person from their perspective is known as:
Empathy is the cognitive and emotional ability to understand what another person is experiencing from their point of view. In healthcare, it is a critical skill for building trust, improving patient satisfaction, and fostering positive relationships.
2. What is 'bad debt' in healthcare revenue cycle management?
Bad debt represents balances from patients who were expected to pay but did not, distinguishing it from charity care where patients lacked the means to pay.
3. The Stark Law (Physician Self-Referral Law) prohibits physicians from referring Medicare and Medicaid patients to entities in which they have a financial relationship for which of the following?
The Stark Law prohibits physician self-referrals for designated health services (DHS) — including lab, imaging, and PT — to entities where the physician has a financial relationship, unless an exception applies.
4. A patient who is a minor presents to the ED without a parent or guardian. Under EMTALA, the hospital should:
EMTALA requires a medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment for all individuals presenting to the ED, including unaccompanied minors, due to the emergency exception to consent.
5. A patient's authorized representative calls requesting an appointment on the patient's behalf. What must the PAR verify first?
Verifying authorization in the system ensures PHI is only shared with individuals the patient has designated, per HIPAA requirements.
6. Which of the following activities is a key component of the pre-arrival process that directly supports the healthcare revenue cycle?
Pre-arrival coordination is critical for the financial health of the organization. Verifying insurance eligibility and benefits, and securing any required pre-authorizations or referrals before the service is rendered, are essential steps to ensure the claim will be paid. This proactive work prevents claim denials and reduces the need for costly rework after the visit.