Front Office Chapter 9 Homework

CHAPTER 9
VOCABULARY REVIEW
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
provider.
Diction
inflection,
cultivate
Jargon
pitch.
invariably
monotone
multitasking.
tedious.
enunciation.
clarity.
STAT
tactful
screen
SKILLS AND CONCEPTS
Part I: Answering Incoming Calls and Taking Phone Messages
16.
Hello, this is Peter Young. I saw Dr. Beard on Monday about a rash on my forearms. This
thing isnt getting any better, and the cream she prescribed for me isnt helping the itching,
and its very uncomfortable. Is there anything else we can do to help it? My number is 972555-9873. The message was received at 8:30 AM on Thursday, February 3.
Who should receive this message?
Answer: The clinical medical assistants, Trina and/or Dean
Questions to ask the patient when returning this call:
What does the rash look like now? Color? Texture?
What is the cream you are using?
How often are you using the cream?
Have you been in contact with anything unusual or different since your visit to the
office?
e.
Is it the same or worse than when you were in the office?
f.
What is your pharmacy's phone number?
a.
b.
c.
d.
What action should be taken after speaking to the patient?

Answer: Pull the medical record, if not already done. Place the phone message with the
record and give it to the physician.
17.
Gerald Morris called Dr. Beards office to ask whether his insurance has paid for his last
office visit. He is an established patient and has worked as a city police officer for more than
10 years. After asking to place Mr. Morris on hold, you pull up his account on the computer.
Copyright 2007, 2004 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Instructors Resource Manual
9-2
No insurance payment has been credited to his account, and there is a note indicating that his
insurance was not in effect at the time of his office visit. Mr. Morris phone number is 972555-8824. He requests a call back as he is concerned about this information. This message
was taken at 3:45 PM on September 4.
Answer: The insurance biller, Gloria Richardson
Questions to ask the patient when returning this call:
a. Are you still employed with the city police department?
b. Has your insurance company at work changed recently or since your last visit to the
office?
c. What is the name of your insurance company?
d. Have you gone from full-time to part-time work?
e. What is the name of your benefits administrator at work?
f. Can you give me the toll-free number to the insurance company from your
insurance card?
g. Have you recently received a new insurance card?
Answer: Call the benefits administrator at the patients work and make certain that he is still
employed and was eligible for benefits on the day of the office visit. If so, call the insurance
company and determine why the claim was not paid. Determine if the claim needs to be
resubmitted to the insurance company. Note all conversations and information obtained either
in the medical record, on the financial record, or in the database, according to office policy.
Hello, this is Savannah Yarborough. I visited with your receptionist earlier today, and she
indicated that one of the medical assistants has resigned and you will have a position
available in a few weeks. I am very interested in interviewing and presenting myself as a
candidate for the job. I am a certified medical assistant with 6 years experience. Please give
me a call at your convenience at 817-555-9902. I look forward to speaking with you and
perhaps scheduling an interview. This message was taken at 1:30 PM on May 1.
18.

Answer: The office manager, Julia Carpenter
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Questions to ask when returning this call:

What experience do you have as a medical assistant and in what type of practice?
Why are you looking for employment at this time?
What are your goals for the next 5 years?
Why are you interested in our clinic?
Can you come in for an interview?
What is your contact information?
Can you forward a resume to our office?
What action should be taken after speaking to Ms. Yarborough?
Answer: Schedule an interview date and time if she seems to have the qualifications for the
position.
9-3
19. Mr. Juan Ross called today at 10:15 AM to get his prescription for Ambien refilled. His
pharmacy is Wolfe Drug, and the drugstore phone number is 214-555-4523. He is allergic to
penicillin. Mr. Ross phone number is 214-555-2377. Mr. Ross message was received on
July 23.
Answer: The clinical medical assistant, Trina or Dean
Questions to ask the patient when returning his call:
Answer: The patient has provided all of the information necessary for his request to be
presented to the physician. Unless the physician has additional questions, all the information
is there to carry out the request, if approved by the doctor.
Answer: Forward the request to the physician, and if the refill is approved, call it in to the
pharmacy. Note this in the medical record. In addition most patients appreciate a return call
to let them know that the physician approved the request and that it has been called in to the
pharmacy.
20. Mr. Benjamin Adams called to speak to the office manager to express his dissatisfaction with
the times that he was offered for an appointment. His job is strict about attendance, and he
cannot leave work until 4:00 PM. He has requested appointment times after 4:00 PM, but the
scheduling assistant tells him that he cannot have an appointment any later than 4:00 PM. Mr.
Adams is concerned that he will not be able to be at the clinic at that exact time, and he is
frustrated that the clinic is not more responsive to his needs. He called at 2:15 PM on March
14. His phone number at work is 972-555-6343, and his cell phone number is 214-555-8080.
Questions to ask the patient when returning the call:
a. What is the earliest time that you can arrive after 4 PM?
b. Are you aware of our early morning or late evening appointments (if applicable)?
c. Can you alternate an appointment at 4:15 or 4:30 this week with one at noon next
week?
d. Begin the call with the phrase, How may I help you?
Answer: Schedule an appointment that will meet the patients needs and follow up to make
certain that he arrived on time. Monitor the patient to make sure that he is not trying to abuse
the privilege.
21. This is Ms. Garrett from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and its 10:00 AM on June 5. I am calling
to discuss employee benefits for the coming year with the office manager. BCBS provides
insurance coverage for your clinic employees. Would you please have the office manager
9-4
return my call when she has a few moments to talk? My number is 800-555-0024, extension
415. Thank you!
Questions to ask when returning the call:
What major changes do you anticipate for the coming year on our policy?
Will there be a cost increase?
Will any benefits be added or removed?
How long do we have to make a decision about renewing the policy?
Have any new policies or plans been created that will enhance our employees
benefit package?
f.
When can you come in to discuss the renewal?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
What action should be taken after speaking to Ms. Garrett?

Answer: Prepare the information from the last fiscal year for review and comparison. Notify
any employees who need to attend the meeting with Ms. Garrett. Circulate a memo to
employees to gather questions from the staff about coverage options. Notify the physician of
the time and date of the meeting in case he or she wishes to attend as well.
22. This is Sarah at Cline Meador Lab with a stat lab report. Its 9:35 AM on November 16. The
patients name is Laura Williamson, and her WBC count is 18,000. Please notify Dr. Beard
immediately. The lab phone number is 800-555-3333, and my extension is 255. If he has any
questions, please have him give me a call. Thanks.
Answer: Dr. Beard, primarily, and secondly, the clinical medical assistant, Trina or Dean
Questions to ask or information to verify when returning the call:
Answer: There may be no questions for the laboratory, but the patient will need to be
contacted and the physician may want to place her on antibiotics. Determine the physicians
wishes, and call the prescription in to the patients pharmacy, if indicated.
What action should be taken after speaking to Sarah?
Answer: Follow doctors orders to handle the situation.
23. Judy Jordan has migraine headaches and occasionally takes hydrocodone to relieve the pain.
Dr. Beard leaves the office for the weekend at noon on Friday, and office policy dictates that
he is not to be paged except in cases of emergency. Patients with routine or lesser health
issues are to be instructed to either make an appointment to come in and see the physician or
go to the emergency room. Judy calls at 4:45 PM on Friday afternoon, March 9, after Dr.
Beard has left the office. She requests that the staff authorize a refill for her pain medicine
and insists on speaking to the office manager, who is currently in a meeting. Her phone
number is 214-555-9822.
9-5

a. How long has the headache been bothering you?
b. What have you tried to relieve the pain?
c. Are you completely out of medication?
d. Dr. Beard has already left the office for the weekend. Do you need to go to the
emergency room?
What action should be taken in this situation?
Answer: Use your best judgment in deciding whether to call Dr. Beard. Document his orders
in the medical record. Call the pharmacy, if indicated, and authorize the refill. Call Judy and
explain that Dr. Beard has made an exception for her in this instance and that in the future,
she must make a refill call at the correct time.
24.
Gary Burritt is moving out of state, so he calls the office because he needs a copy of his
medical records. Dr. Beard prefers to send medical records directly to the receiving
physician. Mr. Burritts phone number is 512-555-6679. Todays date is December 20, and
this message was received at 11:45 AM.
Answer: The insurance biller and medical records clerk, Gloria Richardson
a. What specific information does the patient need from the medical record?
b. Has the patient located a new physician as yet?
c. What is the patients new address?
d. Is the patient willing to wait until a new physician is located so that the records can
be sent directly to the doctor?
Answer: If the patient agrees to wait, then forward the records to the new physician.
However, if the patient insists on having a copy of the records, the office must provide them.
25. Allan Jenkins is calling from the cleaning service to let the office manager know what
supplies he needs. He leaves a message stating that they are out of window cleaner, paper
towels, liquid cleanser, and floor cleaner. He says that she does not have to call him back, but
they will be cleaning again on Friday evening and will need the supplies at that time. This
message was received on Wednesday, April 7 at 8:10 AM. The caller leaves his phone
number, 903-555-2378, in case the office manager has questions.
9-6
Answer: Secure the supplies requested and have them available for the cleaning service. As a
courtesy, call Allan back and leave a message to assure him that the supplies will be available
on Friday evening.
26. Hello. My name is Christina Cawtel, and I was referred to your office by Dr. Preston for an
evaluation of an ovarian cyst. Today is Wednesday, October 4, and it is 8 AM. I would like to
make an appointment for early next week if possible. My phone number is 817-555-9325.
Oh, and by the way, I need to know if you are a provider for Aetna, because my company just
changed to their managed care plan. I probably need to have a mammogram, too, and want to
see if you will order it before I come in for the appointment. Thanks.
Answer: The scheduling assistant, Stephanie Dickson
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

What is your address, phone number, etc.?
What is your Aetna policy number?
Do you need directions to the office?
Can you arrive for an appointment on (day) at (time)?
Can you arrive 15 minutes early to complete paperwork?
Answer: Schedule the appointment, then verify the patients insurance. If the insurance is
valid, prepare any necessary paperwork for the patients first visit.
27. My name is Janeen Shaw and I am Dr. Beards patient. It is just before 2:00 PM, and I am
trying to reach you as soon as you open your office after lunch. I am having a hard time
breathing, and I have stomach pains. I am hurting all over my upper body, on my chest, my
arms, my neckjust everywhere. I'm sweating, and I'm very nauseated. Im 45, and I'm
almost never ill. I wanted to find out if I can come in for an appointment today. Please call
me back as soon as possible. My phone number is 601-555-3423. Thank youplease call as
soon as you can. I really feel awful.
Answer: The clinical assistant, Trina or Dean
a.
b.
c.
d.

What is the address where you are located?
Are you alone?
How long have you had these symptoms?
Do you have transportation to the hospital?
Answer: The patient should be kept on the telephone while an ambulance is called and
dispatched to her home. If the next-of-kin is known, that person should be called as well.
Notify the physician of the situation and determine his or her orders.
9-7
Part II: Handling Difficult Calls

Briefly explain how the following callers and types of calls should be handled.
28. Angry callers
Answer: Lower the tone of voice slightly, which may make the caller calm down to hear
what you are saying. Address the issue without skirting around it. Avoid getting angry
yourself, and do what is possible to resolve the patients issues while remaining within the
confines of office policy.
29. Sales calls
Answer: Do not completely disregard salespersons, but do not allow them to monopolize
time or telephone lines, either. Keep these calls quick and to the point. Most professional
salespersons realize that the physicians and the staffs time is extremely valuable and will
respect this. Developing a good rapport with representatives (reps) from the companies
whose products are frequently used in the practice may result in discounted prices and first
news of sales and promotions.
30. Emergency calls
Answer: The person answering the telephone should first determine whether the call is truly
urgent. Emergency calls could include such conditions and/or symptoms as chest pain,
profuse bleeding, severe allergic reactions, cessation of breathing, injuries resulting in loss of
consciousness, and broken bones. Often the physician will instruct the patient to go straight
to the closest hospital emergency room or to call an ambulance. Office policy and procedure
manuals should dictate the action to take in such emergency situations.
31. Unauthorized inquiry calls
Answer: Some individuals call the physicians office requesting information to which they
are not entitled. These callers must be told politely but firmly that such information cannot be
provided to them because of privacy laws. Insistent callers should be referred to the office
manager or physician.
32. Callers with complaints
Answer: When callers complain, use an approach similar to the one used with angry callers.
Do not make an attempt to blame, and never argue with the patient. Find the source of the
problem, and then present the options to the caller as to how the situation can be resolved.
Remember to treat callers in the same manner that you would wish to be treated.
Part III: Using a Telephone Directory
Using your local telephone directory, locate the following telephone numbers for your city or
community.
33.
Nonemergency number for the police department

Answers will vary according to location.
34.
General information number for the nearest airport
9-8

35.
Local tax office

36.
American Red Cross office

37.
Acute care hospital

38.
Mental health and mental retardation center

39.
Meals on Wheels
40.
American Cancer Society

Part IV: Answering the Telephone
Use the local telephone directory to find telephone numbers for the following medical specialty
offices in your area. Call these offices to determine how they answer the telephone. Explain the
purpose of your call to the staff member who answers the phone, and record the phone greeting
they use in the space provided below.
41.
Ophthalmologist
42.
Oncologist
43.
General practitioner
44.
Chiropractor
45.
Cosmetic surgeon
46.
Dermatologist
Part V: Short Answer Questions

47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
9-9
screening.
tone
chew gum
The mouthpiece of the telephone handset should be held 1 inch from the lips.
confidentiality
third
physician.
Conference
directions .
Part VI: Time Zones
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
1:00 PM
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
4:00 PM .
noon
Part VII: Telephone Technique
61.
Where are you?
At what telephone number can you be reached?
What are the chief symptoms?
When did they start?
Has this happened before?
Are you alone?
Do you have transportation?
62.
The phrase that often calms an angry patient is "Let me help you."
Always ask the patients permission to place him or her on hold and to transfer the call.
Identify the person on the phone when a call is transferred to the physician or another person
in the facility. It is considered poor customer service to transfer the call to a co-workers
voicemail without warning the caller that the person is not available. Any person who refuses
to give a name should not be put through unless the medical assistant has been specifically
instructed to do so. If the person is not immediately available, ask the caller whether he or
she would prefer to be put through to voicemail. Some callers simply believe their call will
receive more attention if a human takes the message. If the caller insists, take a written
message and deliver it to the proper person as soon as possible.
64.
The individual could be a patient, so every attempt to identify the patient and assist him or
her should be made. Such callers may also be salespersons who are fully aware that if their
identity is revealed, they will never get the opportunity to speak to the physician. These
people may be firmly told, Dr. Frank is busy with a patient and has asked that we take
messages for her. If you will not leave a message, you may wish to write a letter to her and
mark it personal.
63.
65.
List the seven components of a proper telephone message.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
The name of the person to whom the call is directed

The name of the person calling
The callers daytime, evening, and/or cellular telephone number
The reason for the call
The action to be taken
The date and time of the call
The initials of the person taking the call
CASE STUDY
Answers will vary.
CHAPTER 9 QUIZ
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
clarity.
11:00 AM
True
automatic call routing.
answering service.
Answers may include the following:
Chest pain
Profuse bleeding
Severe allergic reaction
Cessation of breathing
Injuries resulting in a loss of consciousness
Broken bones
inflection.
monotone.
True
List two ways to deal with an angry caller:
a. Lower the tone of voice and speak softly.
b. Assure the patient that the issue is important to you and you will work toward a
resolution.
9-10

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CHAPTER 9

What action should be taken after speaking to the patient?

Instructors Resource Manual

Who should receive this message?

Questions to ask when returning this call:

Instructors Resource Manual

Instructors Resource Manual

What action should be taken after speaking to Ms. Garrett?

Instructors Resource Manual

Who should receive this message?

Instructors Resource Manual

Questions to ask or information to verify when returning the call:

Questions to ask or information to verify when returning the call:

Instructors Resource Manual

Part II: Handling Difficult Calls

Nonemergency number for the police department

General information number for the nearest airport

Instructors Resource Manual

Answers will vary according to location.

Local tax office

American Red Cross office

Acute care hospital

Mental health and mental retardation center

American Cancer Society

Instructors Resource Manual

List the seven components of a proper telephone message.

Instructors Resource Manual

The name of the person to whom the call is directed

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