Module 11: Administrative Assisting

Patient Appointments

A practice management system (PMS)

• digital version of a patient’s medical and health care information within a specific health care organization

• a record of patient medical and health care information accessible to providers and other staff members

• the administrative side of the EHR

• results in more accuracy and efficiency and a greater continuity of care for the patient

Patient Appointments

Paper charting can be:

• cumbersome and only allows access of one user at a time

• stored at a convenient offsite location to allow for retrieval as necessary

• typically stored using cloud storage

• stored appropriately and in accordance with the minimum time required by each state

Patient Appointments

Electronic Health Records (EHR) are:

• only accessible by the primary care physician

• used to track patient data over time

• not used in modern healthcare settings

• only used for billing purposes

Patient Appointments

Which of the following is a benefit of using a Practice Management System (PMS)?

• Increased paperwork and manual record keeping

• Decreased efficiency in patient care

• Improved patient appointment scheduling

• Reduced communication between healthcare providers

Patient Appointment

Wave Scheduling

• type of scheduling in which two or more patients are scheduled within the same time slot.

• Scheduling two or three patients during a designated hourly time period (last 30 min of the hour, patients seen in order of arrival).

• positively contribute to the workflow and success of the organization, resulting in staff, patient, and provider satisfaction.

• Scheduling patients in groups with common medical needs.

Patient Appointment

Time frame for urgent :

• 15 min

• 30 min

• 45 to 60 min

• 60 min

Identify Patients In/Out

The MA will verify the patient’s identity, eligibility, and insurance information. Ask to see a

Identify Patients In/Out

These forms inform the patient of expectations and office policies and procedures and collect patient information for the medical record and billing purposes.

• Assignment of Benefits

• Patient Check-In/Out Form
• Patient’s Bill of Rights

Identify & Check Patients Out

Patient check-in starts when

• patients are still at home

• patients call to schedule an appointment

• patients leave the medical facility

• patients arrive at the medical facility

Identify Patients In/Out

Claim denials often result from

• check-in process is the time to ensure accuracy

• the information on the insurance card and patient medical record

• information the provider orders

• missing, incomplete, or inaccurate demographic information