Free NHA CMAA Exam Flashcards

The CMAA exam includes scored items and unscored pretest items. Because pretest items are mixed into the exam, answer every question as if it counts.

A scaled score adjusts for differences between exam forms. The reported score is not simply the raw percentage of questions answered correctly.

Use steady pacing and flag uncertain items for review. Spending too long on one question can reduce time for questions you know how to answer.

The local metadata lists a 30-day wait between retake attempts and a 365-day wait after three failed retakes.

CMAA certification is time-limited. Track renewal requirements early so continuing education and fees are completed before the credential expires.

Stream scheduling assigns patients specific appointment times throughout the day. It works best when visit lengths are predictable.

Wave scheduling books several patients near the same time so staff can room patients as the provider becomes available. It helps absorb small delays.

Cluster scheduling groups similar visits, such as procedures or physicals, into dedicated blocks. This can improve room setup and staff efficiency.

Document the missed appointment, follow office policy for patient contact, and reschedule when appropriate. Do not delete the appointment record.

A referral is not finished when it is sent. Track whether the specialist appointment occurred and whether the report returned to the ordering provider.

Confirm identity, demographics, insurance, consent forms, and the reason for the visit. Accurate check-in supports billing and clinical follow-up.

Verify address, phone, emergency contact, preferred pharmacy, and guarantor information at intake. Small errors can cause missed messages or claim delays.

New patient paperwork commonly gathers medical history, privacy acknowledgment, consent, financial policy, and insurance information before the visit begins.

Follow triage and office policy instead of promising immediate care. Urgent symptoms should be escalated to clinical staff or the provider promptly.

At checkout, schedule follow-up care, provide ordered instructions or referrals, collect patient balances as policy allows, and confirm the next communication step.

Verification confirms active coverage, plan type, member information, copay, deductible status, and whether referral or prior authorization rules apply.

Collect copays according to the payer contract and office policy, ideally at the time of service. Provide a receipt and document the payment.

Prior authorization is payer approval requested before certain services. It is not a guarantee of payment and does not replace accurate documentation.

A referral directs a patient to another provider. An authorization is payer approval for a service, visit, test, or procedure under plan rules.

Coordination of benefits determines which insurance plan pays first when a patient has more than one active policy.

The revenue cycle begins before the visit with registration and insurance checks, then continues through coding, claim submission, payment posting, and follow-up.

ICD-10-CM codes describe diagnoses and reasons for care. They support medical necessity when paired with the services billed.

CPT codes describe medical services and procedures. The code should match the documented service, not what staff expected the provider to perform.

A clean claim has the required patient, provider, insurance, diagnosis, procedure, and charge information needed for payer processing.

When a claim is denied, review the payer reason, correct only supported errors, gather needed documentation, and resubmit or appeal within policy limits.

The medical office usually owns the physical or electronic record, while the patient has rights to access and receive copies under applicable rules.

Before releasing records, confirm the request is valid, identify exactly what is requested, verify authorization when required, and document the disclosure.

Electronic entries should be accurate, timely, and attributable to the person who entered them. Avoid using another employee's login.

Do not erase or hide an error in a health record. Follow amendment policy so the original entry, correction, date, and author remain traceable.

Records containing protected information should be destroyed by approved secure methods after the retention period ends. Routine trash is not appropriate.

A professional medical office greeting identifies the practice, identifies the staff member, and offers help while protecting patient privacy.

Active listening means giving full attention, letting the patient finish, clarifying key details, and confirming the next step before closing the conversation.

Use a calm tone, acknowledge the concern, avoid arguing, offer realistic options, and involve a supervisor or clinical staff when policy requires it.

Patient letters and portal messages should be clear, professional, limited to the needed information, and sent through approved secure channels.

Use qualified interpreter services when needed for meaningful communication. Avoid relying on children or untrained family members for clinical or consent discussions.

Use or disclose only the information needed for the task, except when rules allow broader access such as direct treatment communication.

The notice explains how the practice may use and disclose protected health information and describes patient privacy rights.

Informed consent is the patient's agreement after receiving enough information about the proposed care, risks, benefits, and alternatives.

A CMAA should stay within administrative duties, training, state rules, and office policy. Do not diagnose, prescribe, or give independent clinical advice.

Legal requests for records should be routed according to office policy before releasing information. Verify validity and disclose only what is required.

A tickler file is a reminder system for future tasks such as referral follow-up, record requests, supply orders, or patient recalls.

Sort incoming mail by priority, route it to the correct person or department, and protect patient information throughout handling.

Inventory control prevents both shortages and waste. Reorder based on usage, lead time, storage space, expiration dates, and office policy.

Check delivered supplies against the order and packing slip before accepting them as complete. Report shortages, damage, or wrong items promptly.

For office equipment issues, check simple causes, follow the user guide or office protocol, document the issue, and request service when needed.

An emergency plan tells staff how to respond to fires, severe weather, medical emergencies, security threats, and office closures.

Protect people first, activate the alarm system, contain the fire when possible, and evacuate or use an extinguisher only if trained and safe.

Staff must be able to identify hazardous chemicals, read labels, access safety data sheets, and follow storage and spill procedures.

Even administrative staff should know that sharps belong in approved sharps containers and should not be handled casually or placed in regular trash.

Report workplace injuries, safety events, privacy incidents, or equipment hazards promptly through the office's required reporting process.