CRCR EXAM 146 Questions with Answers
What are collection agency fees based on? - CORRECT ANSWERSA percentage of dollars collected
Self-funded
... [Show More] benefit plans may choose to coordinate benefits using the gender rule or what other rule? - CORRECT ANSWERSBirthday
In what type of payment methodology is a lump sum or bundled payment negotiated between the payer and some or all providers? - CORRECT ANSWERSCase rates
What customer service improvements might improve the patient accounts department? - CORRECT ANSWERSHolding staff accountable for customer service during performance reviews
What is an ABN (Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage) required to do? - CORRECT ANSWERSInform a Medicare beneficiary that Medicare may not pay for the order or service
What type of account adjustment results from the patient's unwillingness to pay for a self-pay balance? - CORRECT ANSWERSBad debt adjustment
What is the initial hospice benefit? - CORRECT ANSWERSTwo 90-day periods and an unlimited number of subsequent periods
When does a hospital add ambulance charges to the Medicare inpatient claim? - CORRECT ANSWERSIf the patient requires ambulance transportation to a skilled nursing facility
How should a provider resolve a late-charge credit posted after an account is billed? - CORRECT ANSWERSPost a late-charge adjustment to the account
An increase in the dollars aged greater than 90 days from date of service indicate what about accounts - CORRECT ANSWERSThey are not being processed in a timely manner
What is an advantage of a preregistration program? - CORRECT ANSWERSIt reduces processing times at the time of service
What are the two statutory exclusions from hospice coverage? - CORRECT ANSWERSMedically unnecessary services and custodial care
What core financial activities are resolved within patient access? - CORRECT ANSWERSScheduling, insurance verification, discharge processing, and payment of point-of-service receipts
What statement applies to the scheduled outpatient? - CORRECT ANSWERSThe services do not involve an overnight stay
How is a mis-posted contractual allowance resolved? - CORRECT ANSWERSComparing the contract reimbursement rates with the contract on the admittance advice to identify the correct amount
What type of patient status is used to evaluate the patient's need for inpatient care? - CORRECT ANSWERSObservation
Coverage rules for Medicare beneficiaries receiving skilled nursing care require that the beneficiary has received what? - CORRECT ANSWERSMedically necessary inpatient hospital services for at least 3 consecutive days before the skilled nursing care admission
When is the word "SAME" entered on the CMS 1500 billing form in Field 0$? - CORRECT ANSWERSWhen the patient is the insured
What are non-emergency patients who come for service without prior notification to the provider called? - CORRECT ANSWERSUnscheduled patients
If the insurance verification response reports that a subscriber has a single policy, what is the status of the subscriber's spouse? - CORRECT ANSWERSNeither enrolled not entitled to benefits
Regulation Z of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, also known as the Truth in Lending Act, establishes what? - CORRECT ANSWERSDisclosure rules for consumer credit sales and consumer loans
What is a principal diagnosis? - CORRECT ANSWERSPrimary reason for the patient's admission
Collecting patient liability dollars after service leads to what? - CORRECT ANSWERSLower accounts receivable levels
What is the daily out-of-pocket amount for each lifetime reserve day used? - CORRECT ANSWERS50% of the current deductible amount
What service provided to a Medicare beneficiary in a rural health clinic (RHC) is not billable as an RHC services? - CORRECT ANSWERSInpatient care
What code indicates the disposition of the patient at the conclusion of service? - CORRECT ANSWERSPatient discharge status code
What are hospitals required to do for Medicare credit balance accounts? - CORRECT ANSWERSThey result in lost reimbursement and additional cost to collect
When an undue delay of payment results from a dispute between the patient and the third party payer, who is responsible for payment? - CORRECT ANSWERSPatient
Medicare guidelines require that when a test is ordered for a LCD or NCD exists, the information provided on the order must include: - CORRECT ANSWERSA valid CPT or HCPCS code
With advances in internet security and encryption, revenue-cycle processes are expanding to allow patients to do what? - CORRECT ANSWERSAccess their information and perform functions on-line
What date is required on all CMS 1500 claim forms? - CORRECT ANSWERSOnset date of current illness
What does scheduling allow provider staff to do - CORRECT ANSWERSReview appropriateness of the service request
What code is used to report the provider's most common semiprivate room rate? - CORRECT ANSWERSCondition code
Regulations and requirements for coding accountable care organizations, which allows providers to begin creating these organizations, were finalized in: - CORRECT ANSWERS2012
What is a primary responsibility of the Recover Audit Contractor? - CORRECT ANSWERSTo correctly identify proper payments for Medicare Part A & B claims
How must providers handle credit balances? - CORRECT ANSWERSComply with state statutes concerning reporting credit balance
Insurance verification results in what? - CORRECT ANSWERSThe accurate identification of the patient's eligibility and benefits
What form is used to bill Medicare for rural health clinics? - CORRECT ANSWERSCMS 1500
What activities are completed when a scheduled pre-registered patient arrives for service? - CORRECT ANSWERSRegistering the patient and directing the patient to the service area
In addition to being supported by information found in the patient's chart, a CMS 1500 claim must be coded using what? - CORRECT ANSWERSHCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding system)
What results from a denied claim? - CORRECT ANSWERSThe provider incurs rework and appeal costs
Why does the financial counselor need pricing for services? - CORRECT ANSWERSTo calculate the patient's financial responsibility
What type of provider bills third-party payers using CMS 1500 form - CORRECT ANSWERSHospital-based mammography centers
How are disputes with nongovernmental payers resolved? - CORRECT ANSWERSAppeal conditions specified in the individual payer's contract
The important message from Medicare provides beneficiaries with information concerning what? - CORRECT ANSWERSRight to appeal a discharge decision if the patient disagrees with the services
Why do managed care plans have agreements with hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers to offer a range of services to plan members? - CORRECT ANSWERSTo improve access to quality healthcare
If a patient remains an inpatient of an SNF (skilled nursing facility for more than 30 days, what is the SNF permitted to do? - CORRECT ANSWERSSubmit interim bills to the Medicare program.
MSP (Medicare Secondary Payer) rules allow providers to bill Medicare for liability claims after what happens? - CORRECT ANSWERSdays passes, but the claim then be withdrawn from the liability carrier
What data are required to establish a new MPI entry? - CORRECT ANSWERSThe patient's full legal name, date of birth, and sex
What should the provider do if both of the patient's insurance plans pay as primary? - CORRECT ANSWERSDetermine the correct payer and notify the incorrect payer of the processing error
What do EMTALA regulations require on-call physicians to do? - CORRECT ANSWERSPersonally appear in the emergency department and attend to the patient within a reasonable time
At the end of each shift, what must happen to cash, checks, and credit card transaction documents? - CORRECT ANSWERSThey must be balanced
What will cause a CMS 1500 claim to be rejected? - CORRECT ANSWERSThe provider is billing with a future date of service
Under Medicare regulations, which of the following is not included on a valid physician's order for services? - CORRECT ANSWERSThe cost of the test
how are HCPCS codes and the appropriate modifiers used? - CORRECT ANSWERSTo report the level 1, 2, or 3 code that correctly describes the service provided
If a Medicare patient is admitted on Friday, what services fall within the three-day DRG window rule? - CORRECT ANSWERSDiagnostic and clinically-related non-diagnostic charges provided on the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before admission
What is a benefit of pre-registering patient's for service? - CORRECT ANSWERSPatient arrival processing is expedited, reducing wait times and delays
What is a characteristic of a managed contracting methodology? - CORRECT ANSWERSProspectively set rates for inpatient and outpatient services
What do the MSP disability rules require? - CORRECT ANSWERSThat the patient's spouse's employer must have less than 20 employees in the group health plan
what organization originated the concept of insuring prepaid health care services? - CORRECT ANSWERSBlue Cross and blue Shield
What is true about screening a beneficiary for possible MSP situations? - CORRECT ANSWERSIt is acceptable to complete the screening form after the patient has completed the registration process and been sent to the service department
If the patient cannot agree to payment arrangements, what is the next option? - CORRECT ANSWERSWarn the patient that unpaid accounts are placed with collection agencies for further processing
In services lines such as cardiology or orthopedics, what does the case-rate payment methodology allow providers to do? - CORRECT ANSWERSReceive a fixed for specific procedures
What will comprehensive patient access processing accomplish? - CORRECT ANSWERSMinimize the need for follow-up on insurance accounts
Through what document does a hospital establish compliance standards? - CORRECT ANSWERSCode of conduct
How does utilization review staff use correct insurance information? - CORRECT ANSWERSTo obtain approval for inpatient days and coordinate services
When is it not appropriate to use observation status? - CORRECT ANSWERSAs a substitute for an inpatient admission
What is a serious consequence of misidentifying a patient in the MPI? - CORRECT ANSWERSThe services will be documented in the wrong record
When a patient reports directly to a clinical department for service, what will the clinical department staff do? - CORRECT ANSWERSRedirect the patient to the patient access department for registration
What process can be used to shorten claim turnaround time? - CORRECT ANSWERSSend high-dollar hard-copy claims with required attachments by overnight mail or registered mail
How are patient reminder calls used? - CORRECT ANSWERSTo make sure the patient follows the prep instructions and arrives at the scheduled time for service
If a patient declares a straight bankruptcy, what must the provider do? - CORRECT ANSWERSWrite off the account to the contractual adjustment account
According to the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, what is NOT considered income? - CORRECT ANSWERSSale of property, house, or car
The situation where neither the patient nor spouse is employed is described to the patient using: - CORRECT ANSWERSA condition code
What option is an alternative to valid long-term payment plans? - CORRECT ANSWERSBank loans
What is an advantage of using a collection agency to collect delinquent patient accounts? - CORRECT ANSWERSCollection agencies collect accounts faster than hospital does
What statement DOES NOT apply to revenue codes? - CORRECT ANSWERSrevenue codes identify the payer
When a patient's illness results in an unusually high amount of medical bills not covered by insurance or other patient pay resources, what type of account is created - CORRECT ANSWERScatastrophic charity
What happens when a patient receives non-emergent services from and out-of-network provider? - CORRECT ANSWERSPatient payment responsibility is higher
Every patient who is new to the healthcare provider must be offered what? - CORRECT ANSWERSA printed copy of the provider's privacy notice
How may a collection agency demonstrate its performance? - CORRECT ANSWERSCalculate the rate of recovery
What is true of the information the provider supplies to indicate that an authorization for service has been received from the patient's primary payer? - CORRECT ANSWERSIt is posted on the remittance advice by the payer
What standard claim forms are currently used by the healthcare industry to submit claims to third-party payers? - CORRECT ANSWERSThe UB-04 and the CMS 1500
Unless the patient encounter is an emergency, what is the efficient and effective procedure for obtaining information? - CORRECT ANSWERSObtain the required demographic and insurance information before services are rendered
what protocol was developed through the Patient Friendly Billing Project? - CORRECT ANSWERSProvide information using language that is easily understood by the average reader
What technique is acceptable way to complete the MSP screening for a facility situation? - CORRECT ANSWERSAsk if the patient's current services was accident related
What is a valid reason for a payer to delay a claim? - CORRECT ANSWERSFailure to complete authorization requirements
IF outpatient diagnostic services are provided within three days of the admission of a Medicare beneficiary to an IPPS (Inpatient Prospective Payment System) hospital, what must happen to these charges - CORRECT ANSWERSThey must be combined with the inpatient bill and paid under the MS-DRG system
What do large adjustments require? - CORRECT ANSWERSManager-level approval
What items are valid identifiers to establish a patient's identification? - CORRECT ANSWERSPhoto identification, date of birth, and social security number
What must a provider do to qualify an account as a Medicare bad debts? - CORRECT ANSWERSPursue the account for 120 days and then refer it to an outside collection agency
What restriction does a managed care plan place on locations that must be used if the plan is to pay for the services provided? - CORRECT ANSWERSSite-of-service limitation
What is an example of an outcome of the Patient Friendly Billing Project? - CORRECT ANSWERSRedesigned patient billing statements using patient-friendly language
What statement describes the APC (Ambulatory payment classification) system? - CORRECT ANSWERSAPC rates are calculated on a national basis and are wage-adjusted by geographic region
What is a benefit of insurance verification? - CORRECT ANSWERSPre-certification or pre-authorization requirements are confirmed
What is an effective tool to help staff collect payments at the time of service? - CORRECT ANSWERSDevelop scripts for the process of requesting payments
What is a benefit of electronic claims processing? - CORRECT ANSWERSProviders can electronically view patient's eligibility
What does Medicare Part D provide coverage for? - CORRECT ANSWERSPrescription drugs
What are some core elements of a board-approved financial policy - CORRECT ANSWERSCharity care, payment methods, and installment payment guidelines
What circumstance would result in an incorrect nightly room charge? - CORRECT ANSWERSIf the patient's discharge, ordered for tomorrow, has not been charted
What is NOT a typical charge master problem that can result in a denial? - CORRECT ANSWERSDoes not include required modifiers
An individual's ability to obtain medical services on a timely and financially acceptable level - CORRECT ANSWERSAccess
Usually contracted administrative services to a self-insured health plan - CORRECT ANSWERSAdministrative Services Only (ASO)
The process whereby all health-related components of a case are managed by a designated health professional. Intended to ensure continuity of healthcare accessibility and services - CORRECT ANSWERSCase management
A demand by an insured person for the benefits provided by the group contract - CORRECT ANSWERSClaim
A typical insurance provision that determines the responsibility for primary payment when the patient is covered by more than one employer-sponsored health benefit program - CORRECT ANSWERSCoordination of benefits (COB)
A reimbursement methodology whereby a provider agrees to provide service on a fee for service basis, but the fees are discounted by certain packages - CORRECT ANSWERSDiscounted fee-for-service
Patient status regarding coverage for healthcare insurance benefits - CORRECT ANSWERSEligibility
A healthcare insurance policy that has no deductible and covers the first dollar of an insured's expenses - CORRECT ANSWERSFirst dollar coverage
A concept wherein the primary care physician provides all primary patient care and coordinates all diagnostic testing and specialty referrals required for a patient's medical care - CORRECT ANSWERSGatekeeping
An insurance company that provides for the delivery or payment of healthcare services - CORRECT ANSWERSHealth plan
Negotiated healthcare coverage within a framework of fee schedules, limitations, and exclusions that is offered by insurance companies or benevolent associations - CORRECT ANSWERSIndemnity insurance
Healthcare services that are required to preserve or maintain a person's health status in accordance with medical practice standards - CORRECT ANSWERSMedically necessary
Healthcare plan coverage allowed to covered persons for emergency situations outside of the prescribed geographic area of the HMO - CORRECT ANSWERSOut-of-area benefits
Cash payments made by the insured for services not covered by the health insurance plan - CORRECT ANSWERSOut-of-pocket payments
The practice of reviewing requests for inpatient admission before the patient is admitted to ensure that the admission is medically necessary - CORRECT ANSWERSPre-admission review
A restriction on payments for charges directly resulting from a pre-existing health conditions - CORRECT ANSWERSPre-existing condition limitation
A cost containment practice that reduces a surgical patient's inpatient stay by requiring that pre-procedure testing and preparation are completed on an outpatient basis and the patient is admitted the same day as the procedure - CORRECT ANSWERSSame-day admission
Large employers who assume direct responsibility or risk for paying employees' healthcare without purchasing health insurance - CORRECT ANSWERSSelf-insured
Seeking, by legal or administrative means, reimbursement from another party that is primarily responsible for a patient's medical expenses - CORRECT ANSWERSSubrogation
An employer, a union, or an association that contracts with an insurance company for the healthcare plan it offers to eligible employees - CORRECT ANSWERSSubscriber
A healthcare professional who is recognized to have expertise in a specialty of medicine or surgery - CORRECT ANSWERSSub-specialist
Provides services to employers or insurance companies for utilization review, claims payment and benefit design - CORRECT ANSWERSThird-part administrator (TPA)
A general term used for the healthcare benefit payments - used to identify that for benefit plans there are three parties in the transaction - CORRECT ANSWERSThird-party reimbursement
Health insurance plan reimbursement methodology that limits payment to the lower billed charges, the provider's customary charge, or the prevailing charge for the service in the community - CORRECT ANSWERSUsual, customary, and reasonable (UCR)
Review conducted by professional healthcare personnel of the appropriateness of, quality of, and need for healthcare services provided to patients - CORRECT ANSWERSUtilization review
The dollar amount a provider sets for services rendered before negotiating any discounts. The charge can be different from the amount paid - CORRECT ANSWERSCharge
The definition of cost varies by party incurring the expense - CORRECT ANSWERSCost
The total amount a provider expects to be paid by payers and patients for healthcare services - CORRECT ANSWERSPrice
Individual or entity that contributes to the purchase of healthcare services - CORRECT ANSWERSCare purchaser
An organization that negotiates or sets rates for provider services, collects revenue through premium payments or tax dollars, processes provider claims for service, and pays provider claims using collected premium or tax revenues - CORRECT ANSWERSPayer
An entity, organization, or individual that furnishes a healthcare service - CORRECT ANSWERSProvider
The portion of the total payment for medical services and treatment for which the patient is responsible, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles - CORRECT ANSWERSOut of pocket payment
In health care, readily available information on the price of healthcare services that, together, with other information helps define the value of those services and enables patients and other care purchasers to identify, compare, and choose providers that offer the desired level of value - CORRECT ANSWERSPrice transparency
The quality of a healthcare service in relation to the total price paid for the service by care purchasers - CORRECT ANSWERSValue
What areas does the code of conduct typically focus on? Human resources. Privacy/confidentiality. - CORRECT ANSWERSQuality of care. Billing/coding. Conflicts of interest. Laws/regulations
FERA - CORRECT ANSWERSFraud Enforcement and Recovery act
ESRD - CORRECT ANSWERSEnd-stage renal disease. The patient has permanent kidney failure, is covered by a GHP, and has not yet completed the 30-month coordination period
What is the purpose of a compliance program? - CORRECT ANSWERSMitigate potential fraud and abuse in the industry-specific key risk areas
What is important about an effective corporate compliance program? - CORRECT ANSWERSA program that embodies many elements to create a program that is transparent, clearly articulated and emphasized at all employee levels as a seriously held personal and organizational responsibility, one that relies on full communication inside and outside the organization
What is a CCO? - CORRECT ANSWERSChief compliance officer - they typically report directly to the board of directors/trustees as well as the chief executive officer, and has limited responsibilities for other operational aspects of the organization
What are the situations where another payer may be completely responsible for payment? - CORRECT ANSWERSWork-related accidents, black lung program services, patient is enrolled in Medicare Advantage, Federal grant programs
True or False - Under Medicare rules, certain outpatient services that are provided within three days of the admission date, by hospitals or by entities owned or controlled by hospitals, must be billed as part of an inpatient stay. - CORRECT ANSWERSTRUE
The OIG has issued compliance guidance/model compliance plans for all of the following entities: hospices. - CORRECT ANSWERSphysician practices. ambulance providers
Providers who are found to be in violation of CMS regulations are subject to: - CORRECT ANSWERSCorporate integrity agreements
What MSP situation requires LGHP - CORRECT ANSWERSDisability [Show Less]