NHA CMAA study plan

Decode 60 medical word parts (prefixes, suffixes, combining forms) by building a personal flashcard set and self-testing until each is recalled without cues

Map the major body systems to their primary combining forms and 3-5 common disorders each, writing the associations into a one-page reference sheet

Define and correctly spell 40 high-frequency clinical terms used in ambulatory care (e.g., diagnoses, procedures, abbreviations) and verify spelling against a medical dictionary

Distinguish common medical abbreviations that are error-prone (look-alike/sound-alike) and list safe alternatives to avoid in documentation

Sequence the full revenue cycle from patient registration through claim submission, adjudication, patient statement, and collections, labeling each step's owner

Compare major payer types (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, workers' compensation) by eligibility rules, referral/authorization needs, and typical covered services

Identify the purpose and format of CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes without assigning codes beyond the scope of an administrative medical assistant

Differentiate copay, coinsurance, deductible, allowed amount, and contractual adjustment by computing each from three sample explanations of benefits

Explain the appeal and denial-management process, listing the documentation needed to resubmit a denied claim

Demonstrate three scheduling methods (stream, wave, modified-wave) by assigning sample patients to slots and justifying each placement

Outline the new-patient intake workflow from appointment confirmation through registration, insurance verification, and copay collection

Inventory front-office equipment and supplies, then draft a par-level reorder list and a monthly maintenance log

Classify incoming, outgoing, and interoffice mail handling, including how to process and log incoming payments and remittance advice

Set up a manual and electronic petty-cash/check-and-balance ledger and reconcile a one-week sample set of transactions

Integrate billing and administrative workflows by tracing two sample patients (one insured, one self-pay) from scheduling to final payment

Resolve 10 written front-office scenarios that combine scheduling conflicts, insurance verification failures, and payment posting errors

Audit your weeks 1-3 materials for gaps, then rewrite any weak area into a corrected study summary

Complete a timed 50-item mixed practice set covering domains 1 and 2 and categorize every missed item by root cause

Differentiate the record types (paper, EHR, hybrid) and describe how each is created, indexed, retrieved, and retained

Apply alphabetic, numeric, and subject filing rules by correctly filing 25 sample records using terminal-digit and straight-numeric systems

Sequence the release-of-information process, including valid authorization elements, verification of the requester, and permitted disclosures without authorization

Explain retention schedules, purging, and destruction methods, and identify who may authorize destruction of a record

Distinguish amendments, addenda, and late entries and describe how each is documented in an EHR

Apply HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule concepts to 15 written scenarios, deciding whether each is a permitted use, a breach, or a reportable incident

Identify administrative, physical, and technical safeguards and match each to a concrete front-office control (e.g., screen locks, fax cover sheets, minimum-necessary access)

Describe the breach notification timeline and the roles of the privacy officer and workforce members when a breach is suspected

Correlate retention and destruction rules with the administrative procedures for storing, archiving, and disposing of records and financial documents

Explain how to correct a documentation error and how to respond to a patient request to inspect or amend their record

Demonstrate the sender-receiver communication loop and apply active listening, paraphrasing, and clarification in four scripted patient interactions

Adapt communication for patients with hearing, vision, language, cognitive, or literacy barriers, selecting an appropriate accommodation for each case

Apply professional telephone and written communication standards, including hold etiquette, message documentation, and appropriate email tone

Resolve 8 conflict and difficult-patient scenarios using de-escalation, empathy statements, and clear boundary-setting

Distinguish ethical and legal responsibilities in professionalism scenarios, including scope of practice, confidentiality, and handling of bias or cultural differences

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under test-day conditions and record domain-level subscores for each attempt

Re-teach the three lowest-scoring subareas by rewriting notes in your own words and building 10 new self-test items per subarea

Rehearse test-day logistics: scheduling, identification requirements, calculator/scratch-paper rules, and a pacing plan for the allotted time

Review the error logs from weeks 4 and 6 and confirm that every previously missed concept can now be explained aloud without notes