Deck 20: Patient Billing and Collection

Question 1

Which of the following information should be included on a statement?

A) The patient's income
B) The balance from the previous month and an itemized list of charges
C) The patient's credit card information
D) The patient's occupation and place of employment
E) The physician's credentials

Answer 1

The balance from the previous month and an itemized list of charges

Question 2

A statement is ____.

A) the usual fee a doctor charges for a service
B) the paperwork sent to patients to inform them of payment or balance due
C) the price list for the medical practice
D) a billing system that bills each patient once a month but staggers the due dates
E) a reminder from the medical office that the patient is due for a yearly exam

Answer 2

the paperwork sent to patients to inform them of payment or balance due

Question 3

Elena is a pregnant 16-year-old patient whose parents are divorced. She has legally left her mothers' home and set up housekeeping with her boyfriend, Alan. They plan to be married soon, but in the meantime, Elena shows you proof that she is "emancipated." Who is responsible for payment for Elena's treatment?

A) Elena
B) Alan
C) Elena's mother
D) Elena's father
E) Alan's parents

Answer 3

Elena

Question 4

If your medical practice does not have an authorization device for credit card payment, ____.

A) omit this step completely if you have seen the patient before
B) it is sufficient to imprint the credit card voucher with the patient's credit card
C) call the credit card company for authorization
D) insist that the patient pay by cash or check
E) ask the patient for verification that the payment will go through

Question 5

A written-contract account is ____.

A) one that is open to charges made occasionally
B) an account with only one charge
C) one in which the physician and patient sign an agreement for payment installments
D) the total of the outstanding balance on the patient ledger cards
E) one in which the physician is requested by the courts to examine a specific patient

Question 6

Which of the following is appropriate when placing an initial call to a patient about collections?

A) Call the patient at work
B) Assume that the patient forgot to pay or was temporarily unable to pay
C) Ask the patient why the bill has not been paid
D) Tell the patient that if payment is not received promptly, the account will be turned over to a collection agency
E) Make the initial call if payment has not been received after 15 days

Question 7

Which of the following is an accurate statement about open-book accounts?

A) They are regulated by the Truth in Lending Act.
B) They are accounts with only one charge.
C) The patient and physician sign an agreement for payment in more than one installment.
D) The last date of payment or charge for each illness is used as the starting date for determining the time limit on that specific debt.
E) The statute of limitations does not apply to open-book accounts.

Question 8

An account that is open to charges made occasionally as needed is called a(n) ____.

A) single-entry account
B) open-book account
C) account payable
D) written-contract account
E) collection account

Question 9

If a medical practice accepts credit card payments, the American Medical Association (AMA) suggests the use of which guideline?

A) Set the fees higher for patients who pay by credit card.
B) Do not encourage patients to use credit cards for payment.
C) Advertise outside the office that the practice accepts credit cards.
D) Allow only a select group of patients to use credit cards for payment.
E) Tell patients they may only use credit cards if they do not have cash.

Question 10

Payment by credit card for a medical practice ____.

A) decreases the cash flow in the office
B) increases the time spent on paperwork
C) requires extra staff to process credit card charges
D) provides prompt payment from the credit card company
E) increases the complexity of preparing statements

Question 11

The most appropriate way to determine which parent has consent ability and payment responsibility for a minor child is to ____.

A) ask the parent who is with the child at the time of the appointment who has financial responsibility
B) ask the parent who makes the appointment about financial responsibility before making the appointment
C) check with the court system to see who was awarded custody
D) assume that the patient who brings the child for treatment has consent ability and payment responsibility
E) require a letter from one of the parents guaranteeing payment

Question 12

When do most smaller practices send out their statements?

A) Daily
B) Weekly
C) At the end of the month
D) Whenever the medical assistant has time to prepare the statements
E) Patients are allowed to request a billing time that is convenient for them

Question 13

Which of the following patients would a physician most likely treat as a matter of professional courtesy?

A) Cancer patients
B) Elderly patients
C) Children
D) Other healthcare professionals
E) Any patient who cannot pay

Question 14

A superbill ____.

A) includes the charges and procedure codes for services rendered on that day
B) is the original record of the doctor's services and charges for those services
C) bills each patient only once a month but spreads the work of billing over the month
D) is a signed agreement between the physician and the patient for payment
E) consists of a copy of the patient's ledger card that is mailed to the patient

Question 15

Most of a physician's long-standing patients have a(n) ____.

A) single-entry account
B) accounts payable account
C) written-contract account
D) collection account
E) open-book account

Question 16

A person who is in town on vacation goes to a physician with symptoms of food poisoning. The type of account to set up for this patient is a(n) ____.

A) open-book account
B) single-entry account
C) account payable
D) written-contract account
E) collection account

Question 17

How much will a medical practice generally receive if a physician charges $100 for services and the patient pays by credit card?

A) $100
B) $95-$99
C) $90-$94
D) $86-$89
E) $82-$85

Question 18

A common billing system that bills each patient only once a month but spreads the work of billing over the month is ____.

A) using superbills
B) cycle billing
C) employing collection agencies
D) independent billing services
E) open-book accounting

Question 19

Which of the following is an implication for the patient if the patient pays by credit card?

A) It is a less convenient method of payment.
B) Higher fees are charged for patients paying by credit card.
C) Payment must be made in full when the bill comes.
D) The money for payment is removed immediately from the patient's checking account.
E) If the patient doesn't pay the credit card balance in full, interest accrues on the unpaid balance.

Question 20

Which of the following is a diplomatic way to ask a patient for payment?

A) "I need $74 for today's visit."
B) "For today's visit, the total charge is $74. How would you like to pay?"
C) "That will be $74. What is your check number?"
D) "We need a $74 payment by cash, check, or credit card."
E) "You will need to pay the $74 you owe before you can see the physician."

Question 21

Which of the following requires creditors to provide applicants with accurate and complete credit costs and terms?

A) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
B) Truth in Lending Act
C) Equal Credit Opportunity Act
D) Fair Credit Reporting Act
E) Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Question 22

A payment arrangement in which the physician decides a patient will be billed every month for the full amount owed and should make whatever payment is possible each month is a(n) ____.

A) mutual agreement
B) written-contract agreement
C) open-book account
D) unilateral agreement
E) hardship agreement

Question 23

The process of classifying and reviewing past-due accounts from the first date of billing is a(n) ____.

A) invoice
B) age analysis
C) statement
D) superbill
E) collection letter.

Question 24

A collection letter containing stronger wording that asks the patient to specify when the amount will be paid and to contact the office to make payment arrangements may be sent when an account is ____ days past due.

A) 15
B) 30
C) 60
D) 90
E) 120

Question 25

Criteria for hardship cases include patients who ____.

A) refuse to pay the balance they owe
B) may be poor, underinsured, or elderly and on a limited income
C) have moved without leaving a forwarding address
D) have not received an invoice
E) receive professional courtesy from the medical office

Question 26

A characteristic of a mutual agreement is that ____.

A) the patient is billed for payment in full monthly, but may make whatever payment is possible
B) it is never regulated by the Truth in Lending Act
C) the physician and the patient agree on how much each month's payment will be
D) finance charges are always applied
E) it is generally set up by a collection agency

Question 27

An initial letter of inquiry is generally sent when an account is ____ days past due.

A) 15
B) 30
C) 60
D) 90
E) 120

Question 28

A letter that has a friendly, "we want to help" tone and gives the patient options but makes it clear that the patient must take some sort of action, is most appropriately sent when the account is ____ days past due.

A) 15
B) 30
C) 60
D) 90
E) 120

Question 29

A written description of the agreed terms of payment between the patient and the physician is a(n) ____.

A) credit statement
B) disclosure statement
C) superbill
D) statement of account
E) accounts receivable statement

Question 30

Which of the following should be a factor when you select an outside collection agency?

A) Select an agency that will use harsh collection practices
B) Choose an agency only after a patient fails to respond to the final collection letter or has twice broken a promise to pay
C) Encourage the agency to sue the patient
D) Permit the agency to handle all cases, regardless of special considerations
E) Continue to ask the patient for payment even though the collection agency is working on the account

Question 31

Which of the following prevents creditors from discriminating against applicants on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, marital status, or income?

A) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
B) Truth in Lending Act
C) Equal Credit Opportunity Act
D) Fair Credit Reporting Act
E) Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Question 32

Which of the following protects telephone subscribers from unwanted telephone solicitations?

A) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
B) Truth in Lending Act
C) Equal Credit Opportunity Act
D) Fair Credit Reporting Act
E) Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Question 33

If an account is ____ days past due, send a letter explaining that unless you hear from the patient by a specific date, the account will be given to a specific collection agency for collection.

A) 15
B) 30
C) 60
D) 90
E) 120

Question 34

Which of the following is also called Public Law 95-109?

A) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
B) Truth in Lending Act
C) Equal Credit Opportunity Act
D) Fair Credit Reporting Act
E) Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Question 35

An accounts receivable policy ____.

A) collects payments for a physician who has a large number of patients who do not pay their bills
B) protects patients from being sued by the physician for failure to pay
C) decreases the physician's overall cash flow
D) ensures that the practice will have sufficient income to cover expected expenses
E) ensures that patients will have sufficient funds to pay for services

Question 36

Which of the following requires debt collectors to treat debtors fairly and without collection tactics such as harassment, false statements, threats, and unfair practices?

A) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
B) Truth in Lending Act
C) Equal Credit Opportunity Act
D) Fair Credit Reporting Act
E) Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Question 37

Which of the following is a guideline for making a call requesting payment from a patient?

A) Pose as a government official to convince the patient to pay
B) Tell other people in the office about it and ask for suggestions
C) Threaten to turn the account over to a collection agency, even if you do not plan to do so
D) Call the patient after 8 a.m. or before 9 p.m.
E) Refuse to talk to anyone except the patient, not even the patient's attorney

Question 38

If a physician decides not to extend credit to a patient, what must be done according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

A) Call the patient and tell him his bill must be paid in full immediately
B) Inform the patient in writing why credit was denied
C) Explain to the patient that you will be unable to extend credit
D) Avoid discussing the issue of credit with the patient to avoid embarrassment
E) Report the patient's lack of creditworthiness to the state's credit monitoring service

Question 39

Which of the following requires credit bureaus to supply correct and complete information to businesses for use in evaluating a person's application for credit, insurance, or a job?

A) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
B) Truth in Lending Act
C) Equal Credit Opportunity Act
D) Fair Credit Reporting Act
E) Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Question 40

Which of the following governs the methods that can be used to collect unpaid debts?

A) Truth in Lending Act
B) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
C) Fair Credit Reporting Act
D) Telephone Consumer Protection Act
E) Equal Credit Opportunity Act

Question 41

A common billing system that bills each patient only once a month but spreads the work of billing over the entire month, sending statements to groups of patients every few days, is called ________ billing.

Question 42

The process of classifying and reviewing past-due accounts by age from the first date of billing is called ________.

Question 43

Which of the following states that creditors may not discriminate against an applicant because he or she receives public assistance?

A) Equal Credit Opportunity Act
B) Fair Credit Reporting Act
C) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
D) Truth in Lending Act
E) Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Question 44

Money paid as compensation as a result of a lawsuit is called ________.

Question 45

When processing a payment using a debit card, you will swipe it like a credit card and then ____.

A) have the patient sign a credit slip
B) enter the PIN
C) ask the patient to enter the PIN
D) call the bank for authorization
E) no further action is required

Question 46

Adrian is a patient whose parents were killed in a skiing accident a few months ago. Adrian was involved in an automobile accident this morning. He refused ambulance transport and a friend brought him to your office because he needed only minor wound care. He turned 21 last week, so he is legally an adult. He tells you he has no insurance and doesn't know how he will pay for his care. Adrian might be a candidate for ____.

A) Medicaid
B) Medicare
C) a hardship case
D) a collection agency
E) county assistance

Question 47

The term for income, or money, owed to the practice is called accounts ________.

Question 48

A credit ________ is a company that provides information about the creditworthiness of a person seeking credit.

Question 49

An appropriate way to handle a patient relocation and address change is to ____.

A) stop trying to contact the patient after two unsuccessful tries
B) write off the charges as a hardship case
C) ask a third party for the patient's new address
D) turn the account over to a collection agency immediately
E) send a statement to the patient's relatives for payment

Question 50

You are working at a walk-in outpatient clinic. A young woman who appears to be in her 20s comes in with a large cut on her left arm. When you ask for her insurance information, she says, "I don't need insurance. My father is the chief physician in this clinic. He'll treat me for free." What should you do?

A) Require the woman to provide proof of insurance before being treated
B) Write "professional courtesy" on the patient's chart
C) Ask to see her identification to prove that she is the physician's daughter
D) Send a statement for services to the physician's home address
E) Check with the physician or office manager

Question 51

When you ask Mrs. Redding how she would like to pay the $48 she owes for today's services, she hands you a credit card. When you look at the card, you realize that the card expired two months ago. Which of the following would be your best response to Mrs. Redding?

A) "I'm sorry, Mrs. Redding, but this card has expired. Do you have another card we might use?"
B) "Mrs. Redding, I can't use this card because it expired two months ago."
C) "Why are you trying to pay us with an expired credit card?"
D) "Mrs. Redding, this card has expired; would you like me to bill you instead?"
E) "If I put the charge through on this expired card, the credit card company will be furious."

Question 52

Mrs. Patterson brings her 17-year-old daughter Kelly in for a prenatal exam. When you inform Mrs. Patterson of the amount owed for today, she exclaims, "Oh, no! Kelly moved out last week and is staying with the rascal that did this to her. She can pay for her own care!" What should you do?

A) Explain to Mrs. Patterson that she is still responsible because her daughter is a minor.
B) Ask for legal evidence that Kelly is an emancipated minor.
C) Require Kelly to pay the entire amount due.
D) Call Kelly's father to see if he will pay the bill.
E) Call Kelly's boyfriend and tell him that he is responsible for the bill.

Question 53

A(n) ________ account uses the last date of payment or charge for each illness as the starting date for determining the time limit on that specific debt.

Question 54

When one or more people sue a company that wronged all of them the same way, they have filed a(n) ________ lawsuit.

Question 55

The money the medical practice must pay out to run the practice is called accounts ________.

Question 56

According to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, how much will a practice have to pay if a credit applicant joins and wins a class action lawsuit against the practice?

A) $100,000
B) $150,000
C) $250,000
D) 1/4% of the practice's net worth
E) up to $500,000 or 1% of the practice's net worth

Question 57

If the physician allows the patient to pay for services over time, she is extending ________ to the patient.

Question 58

Which of the following information about a patient should a medical assistant provide to the collection agency?

A) Patient's income
B) Date of the last payment or charge on the account
C) Patient's educational level
D) Impression of the patient's ability to pay
E) Names of other physicians the patient has seen

Question 59

When is it appropriate for a physician to assess finance charges or late charges on past-due accounts?

A) When the physician feels it is necessary
B) After the patient has ignored two bills
C) Only when the patient is notified in advance
D) After the patient has verbalized a lack of intent to pay
E) After the account has been sent to a collection agency

Question 60

A federal Truth in Lending Statement, which is a written description of the agreed terms of payment, is also called a(n) ________ statement.

Question 61

The person who has financial responsibility for a patient is known as the ________.

Question 62

Another term for a bilateral agreement is ________ agreement.

Question 63

A(n) ________ account is one in which the physician and patient sign an agreement stating that the patient will pay the bill in a certain number of installments. If more than four installments are involved, this account is governed by the Truth in Lending Act.

Question 64

The statute of ________ is the state law that sets a time limit on when someone can legally file a collection suit on a past-due account.

Question 65

A(n) ________ account is an account with only one charge, usually for a small amount.

Question 66

Bills sent to patients that contain an itemized accounting of services performed, an indication of payments received from the patient or the patient's insurance, and an amount due to the practice are called ________.

Question 67

Money paid as punishment for intentionally breaking the law is called ________.

Question 68

Large practices often use a(n) ________ billing service for both their insurance and patient billing procedures.

Question 69

A(n) ________, or encounter form, includes the charges for services rendered on that day, a request for payment or insurance copayment, and all the information for submitting an insurance claim.

Question 70

Most medical offices have a(n) ________ with the office name on it for patients who pay by check to ensure that the name of the practice is spelled correctly on the check.

Question 71

Most medical offices collect ________ from patients who belong to managed care organizations at the time of the office visit.

Question 72

Free treatment for ________ cases must be undertaken carefully and is given at the physician's discretion.

Question 73

A patient who moves without leaving a forwarding address and does not contact your office to make arrangements for payment of services he has received is known as a(n) ________.

Question 74

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 protects telephone subscribers from unwanted telephone solicitation, which is commonly known as ________.

Question 75

When a patient pays using a(n) _______ card, the money is immediately moved from the patient's bank account to the medical practice account.