CHAA case studies
CHAA · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) is a professional credential administered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). It is designed for the people who sit at the front door of the revenue cycle: registrars, patient access representatives, schedulers, insurance verifiers, ED registration staff, and the supervisors who lead them. The CHAA case studies are 5 cases and about 3,057 words.
1The Authorization That Is Still Pending at 7:40 A.M.
A 58-year-old patient is scheduled for an 8:00 a.m. outpatient MRI of the lumbar spine with contrast at a hospital-based imaging center.
639 words, about 3 min2The Claim That Was Filed on Time
A $3,410 claim for an outpatient surgical case is denied with CO-29, "the time limit for filing has expired." The practice's billing system shows the claim went out electronically 71 days after the date of service, inside the payer's 90-day clean-claim window. The clearinghouse file shows a 277CA acceptance with a payer-assigned claim control number on day 72.
571 words, about 3 min3The Release Form That Names Everything
A patient enrolled in a partial hospitalization program signs a release at the front desk authorizing disclosure of "all records" to her sister, who is also her emergency contact. The sister calls the next day asking for the full chart, saying, "She told me it's fine, just send it." The chart contains substance use disorder treatment notes from a co-occurring program, HIV status, and psychiatric evaluations.
576 words, about 3 min4Seventy Minutes Past the Appointment
A patient with a 10:20 a.m. appointment is still in the waiting room at 11:30.
605 words, about 3 min5Two Patients, One Chart
A name-and-DOB search returns two existing records: "Robert Chen," MRN 0041822, DOB 03/14/1972, last seen five years ago with a prior address in the state he says he moved from; and "Bob Chen," MRN 0056710, DOB 03/14/1972, seen twice in the past year at this same facility. Neither record has a photo on file.
666 words, about 3 min