HIM 2040 - Medical Office Procedures

1. Describe the importance of administrative support in today’s medical office.

a. Define the administrative tasks performed.

b. Discuss the different job settings available to a person with medical office skills.

c. Discuss the advantages of a professional affiliation.

d. Explain the importance of continuing education and professional development in lifelong learning. 

2. Demonstrate proper behavior when interacting with patients. 

a. Discuss the importance of oral and nonverbal communication.

b. Prioritize interpersonal skills needed when dealing with patients.

c. Explain the need for a well-managed reception area.

d. Understand the practical application of the HIPAA Privacy Rules and exceptions.

3. Emphasize the need for an efficient scheduling system.

a. Analyze the time required by different patients and procedures.

b. Prepare a daily list of appointments.

c. Handle delays and interruptions (including emergencies) to the schedule.

d. Reschedule cancellations and missed appointments (no-shows).

e. Coordinate scheduling of patients at other medical facilities.

4. List principles of office management necessary in a medical setting.

a. Organize work area.

b. Practice safety regarding floors, electric cords, fire hazards, and furniture.

c. Manage inventories of supplies.

d. Determine which tasks can be completed more efficiently on a computer.

5. Compose well-organized medical correspondence/documents.

a. Apply correct letter formatting and letter styles.

b. Proofread documents.

c. Use proper methods in transcribing by machine.

6. Create and maintain patients’ records.

a. Identify each type of document stored in a typical medical record.

b. Know the importance of keeping an accurate, up-to-date record.

c. Discuss the components of the medical record form referred to as SOAP.

d. Give the meanings of common medical abbreviations found throughout the reading material and chart notes.

e. Transcribe dictation and enter reports into a patient’s chart.

7. Maintain financial records in a medical office.

a. Collect and record fees for the services provided by the office to the patient.

b. Compute charges and make the appropriate entries for services rendered, charges, and payments.

c. Manage the collection process using letters and the telephone.

d. Complete deposit slips, check registers, checks, petty cash logs, and other required financial forms.

8. Discuss employee’s role in processing insurance claims.

a. Describe the various types of health insurance coverage (basic, major medical, comprehensive).

b. Recognize difference in the major types of health care financing plans (Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare, HMOs, Medicaid, TRICARE, CHAMPVA, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance).

c. Define basic health insurance terms (such as carrier, provider, coverage, subscriber, contract, premium, deductible, coinsurance, and co-payment).

d. Complete the CMS-1500 claim form for various situations and recognize the standard format for the electronic claims is the HIPAA claim.

e. Discuss the purpose of diagnostic and procedural coding.

f. Explain the follow-up process for insurance claims.