Knowledge in Medical Terminology and Anatomy and ICD-10

When talking about medical terms and anatomy, you figured that these terms only apply to physicians, nurses, therapists, and anyone who works directly with a patient. However, these terms also apply to the Medical Administrative Assistants as well. Their job is not only based on computers, updating patient’s information, filing etc. Being in the medical field, is important to understand all this terms. This position has a variety of different departments that require certification. On a future post, I will talk about what other position the medical administrative assistant can do, and medical terminology knowledge is required. 

Medical terminology and anatomy is a very interesting material, where you learn all different types of physiology and diseases. You learn to identify parts of the body with different terms and how they work. It is important to keep updated on all this information to comprehend any type of diagnoses and procedures.

Furthermore, you learned how to work with the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10), where describes all coding information based on diseases, diagnoses, and procedures. This book is where all physicians referred to. It has lots of information on vessels, muscles, nerves and more intersting information about the human body.

Supporting Physicians

Another role of being a Medical Assistant is supporting the physicians. Physicians should only focus on each patient they wait on, knowing that the office is working in a proper manner. Making sure the flow of the office is under control is a way to support them. Have schedule precisely done with enough time to meet with their patient is important. Ensure the patient information are well manage and in order.

In the office setting there is also other task that needs to be done. A Medical Assistant also takes care of phone calls for the physicians, these needs to be conduct in a proper manner. They need to make sure how the physician wants their calls to be handle.

Meetings are important and needs to be accordingly set up on a convenience time that does not interfere with the physician working time at the office. They also need time break and after meeting with the patients, they need extra time to write all diagnoses and follow up that needs to be done prior to wait on the next patient. These are some other tasks that a Medical Assistant can do to support the physician, to work competently and with no hassle; in combination with all staff that are part of the medical office setting.

Working as a Team

Medical office setting is one of the places where teamwork needs to be in effect. Working as a team is very important because it is the ability to work together with our coworkers.

A strong team has knowledge of their roles; each and one of them know what they need to do

on a daily basis. The team needs to be well managed and organized, having meetings for updates or new information to discuss. It is important to know how to solve a problem when a situation arrives, know what to do; or if the situation cannot be resolved, then escalate it to the next level. Have a constructive feedback; give someone a positive criticism for his or her professional growth. Communication is always important for the team. The team needs to provide new ideas, and listen to others. One of the most important things is respecting one another.

Working as a team should not only be a friendly environment is also like a family place. It makes our day work with ease and help one another when is needed. It is an enjoyable place when you have passion of what you do, and when a team works together, it brings a good atmosphere.

Creating Statements

When claims are processed and accepted, health insurance covers their part of payment. The remainder is patient’s responsibility. An assistant is in charge to create a statement with all the procedures that was process along with the prices, and the amount that health insurance covered. There is a description of all the information and it is called patient day sheet. This sheet has all patients’ information along with the charges, they are divided accordingly to be prepared and printed out to be sent out to the patients.

Depending on the type of software that medical office setting works with; there is a variety of statements that offices has to work with, and descriptions of each statement may differ from other medical offices. This is a daily routing in the medical office setting. Statements need to be process on a daily basis and be mailed on a time frame.

After all co-pay, deductible, co-insurance, and insurance coverage is paid, there may be some outstanding balances for some patients, depending on their health insurance coverage. Payment plan are accepted, when patients cannot pay in full. There is a 30. 60, and 90 days for collection time frame before it goes to a collection agency.