Hcr 220 Week 3 Assignment

Understanding the Patient Intake Process Efficiency during the patient intake process is essential to properly gathering and reviewing patient health care and insurance information. The patient intake process is the very first step in reference to billing purposes and the patient visit. Establishing financial responsibility is a key step to successful billing processes. Having a computer system can make the patient intake process more efficient. The patient intake process begins with gathering patient information when scheduling an appointment. When calling for an appointment, the patient will be asked several basic questions. Information given to make an appointment usually consists of patient’s full name, address, date of birth, phone number, the nature of the visit, patient insurance information, and if the patient was referred, who referred them. During the appointment setting process, most providers use a patient appointment scheduling system. These appointment scheduling systems are very helpful, some can automatically send reminders to patients, or check on patient follow-ups. New patients, who have PPOs or HMOs, may need information on to whether or not the provider is in their insurance plan’s network of providers. When patients choose physicians in the network, they pay less than they would if the physician was not in the network. During the new patient intake process, the patient comes to the office for the visit. Upon arrival the patient is given multiple forms to fill out. Medical History is important in understanding about a patient. It is important that physicians have access to a patient’s most recent medical history. A patient’s medical history may include personal medical history, family medical history, social history, or any medications or therapies currently used. Social history contains personal lifestyles choices, such as smoking, exercise or alcohol use. Patients are also asked to complete patient information forms. Patient

References: Chilsolm, D.; Young, R.; and Heck, K., (2005) Use of a Touch Screen Patient-Entered Data System to Improve Efficiency of New Patient Registration in an Ambulatory Care Clinic. Academy Health. National Library of Medicine-A Service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved on March 13, 2010 from http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/ma?f=103623892.html Valerius, J., Bayes, N., Newby, C., & Seggern, J. (2008). Medical insurance: An integrated claims process approach (3rd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.