CMAA Exam Content, Study Guide & Practice Exam - New Horizons ...

CMAA Study Guide
The following study guide is meant to assist you in focusing on concepts tested in the certification exam. It is not
intended to replace instruction and/or experience necessary for successfully completing the exam. You will note that
some of the information is given to you –complete– and others are in question format that you must find the answers
to– so that you can test yourself and study the answers.
Appointment Scheduling
What documentation is made and what steps do you take when a patient FAILS TO SHOW for their appointment.
The abbreviation NP (when entering an appointment into the book) would mean?
What information would you request from someone making their first appointment with your office, in order to schedule them?
Know how to “mark out the book” with NON_PATIENT TIME (matrix)
Understand the process for scheduling a surgery and what information should be entered into the appointment book
Authorizations
Authorization for the insurance carrier to pay the physician directly is called? Assignment of Benefits
Know the form used that authorizes one physician to send information to another physician or facility. Release of Information
Bookkeeping
Understand how to calculate simple percentages; such as 80% of an amount or 20% of an amount.
A Fixed Amount collected at the time of the visit is called a Co-Payment.
When discounts are given to clergy or other professionals (such as physicians) it is called a “Professional Discount”
Deductibles are PAID by the PATIENT– not the insurance company.
What does “Bookkeeping in the Medical Office” generally consist of? Charges, payments and adjustments
Understand the difference between a charge, payment and adjustment, what columns they should be placed in, and whether
they are an “addition” or “subtraction” from the patient’s ledger.
What process would you use to show an amount not allowed by an HMO, and not the responsibility of the patient’s ledger? See
practice exam
Know the “Bookkeeping Rule”; this helps you correctly add, subtract (calculate) entries to a patient’s ledger. Old Balance,
Plus Charges, Minus Payments, Minus Adjustments, Equals New Balance
What is the definition of the Accounts Receivables? See practice Exam
CEUs & Associations
What are CEUs and why are they important?
Communication Skills
Know the difference between negative and positive, verbal and nonverbal behavior and expression.
Computer & Computer File Maintenance
Define a “hard copy” when referring to a document. See Practice Exam
How to make a copy of “stored information” on a computer for safekeeping. Back-up copy
Define the components of a Network. Several computers linked and sharing information
Confidentiality
Know how to handle questions from others about a patient’s condition; remember information goes to the patient only unless
there is a release of information signed. See Practice Exam.
What are a few of the methods you can use to avoid a breach of patient confidentiality in the front office? Charts turned
backward on doors; protection of sign-in sheets, computer screens protected from patient view
Correspondence
Correct way to write a doctor’s name on an inside address of a letter. First name, last name, comma M.D. (or MD)
The best format to use for typing reports or letters is the one your physician prefers.
Know ALL parts of a block style letter (correspondence); the format and the order in which information is presented. See
Practice Exam