NHA CMAA case studies
NHA CMAA · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a national certification from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for the people who keep a healthcare office running: answering calls, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, updating electronic medical records, handling practice correspondence, and coordinating reports such as time and attendance. NHA also uses the terms medical office assistant and medical secretary, and notes that day-to-day tasks vary by setting. The NHA CMAA case studies are 5 cases and about 2,722 words.
1The Plan Changed Three Weeks Before the Colonoscopy
A 58-year-old patient is scheduled Thursday for a screening colonoscopy. Insurance was verified 19 days ago: 1,500 deductible, 250 remaining, 20% coinsurance after deductible, prior authorization required for screening at this facility.
584 words, about 3 min2Three Requests, One Medical Assistant
A three-provider family practice runs 15-minute slots from 8:00 to 5:00 with a 12:00–1:00 lunch. Two medical assistants call in sick, leaving one MA for three providers until 2:00.
520 words, about 3 min3A $412 Balance and a Language Barrier
A 71-year-old patient with moderate hearing loss and limited English proficiency (Spanish) calls about a 412 balance. She says she was told the visit was 'covered' and that she never received the statement.
554 words, about 3 min4Three Record Requests for One Sixteen-Year-Old
The clinic receives three requests on the same morning for records of a 16-year-old patient: (a) a faxed subpoena duces tecum for the complete chart, signed by an attorney, with a court date in 10 days; (b) a signed authorization from the patient's non-custodial father requesting everything, including a note from a therapist; (c) a request from the patient herself asking that her visit notes not be shared with her mother, who is the policyholder and who calls weekly. The chart contains a psychotherapy note, an immunization record, and a positive STI test.
552 words, about 3 min5A Denial With Three Days Left on the Filing Clock
A claim for a 40-minute established-patient visit (99215) with a same-day EKG was denied: CARC 16 'claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error' and CARC 197 'authorization/pre-certification absent.' The payer received the claim on day 87; the clinic's timely filing limit with this payer is 90 days. The authorization on file is for a different date of service (the prior month) and for a different provider (the physician who was on vacation).
512 words, about 3 min