FOR YOUR DISCUSSION

1. How do the skills you have already learnedkeyboarding, telephoning, filing,

confidentiality, listening, composing correspondence, and similar office skillsrelate to
the skills you will need in a medical office?

The skills that I have learned so far in the Office Technology classes are keenly related to
the skill needed to work in a medical office. Accuracy and confidentiality are the first
things that come to mind that I want from my medical practitioners office, followed
closely by friendly, caring employees who have good customer service and telephone
skills. The only thing that Im missing is the medical terminology and disease
classifications.

2. Of the employment advertisements shown in this chapter, which position would you be
most interested? Why?

Of the employment advertisements in this chapter, the one that would most interest me is
Secretary for Medical Practice because I have Microsoft Office expertise and travel
arranging expertise. I have also completed several classes in the Library Technical
Assistant program, so I have good research finding skills. And I have discovered in this
class (well, maybe confirmed in this class) that I really enjoy planning events, so the
travel arranging also sounds appealing to me.

3. Describe three types of physician practices. List at least two advantages and
disadvantages of working in each type of practice.

Type of
Practice

Generalist

Specialists
Combination of
Generalist & Specialist
Advantages Lots of variety to the
work
Very specific
knowledge
Best of both worlds
Have contact with
lots of different types
of people
Probably see same
patients frequently
and can be more
familiar with their
cases and lives
Probably a larger
office, so lots of
possible jobs/tasks to
do
Disadvantages Difficult to know
something about
everything
Could be mundane
doing the same kind
of work
A lot of responsibility
I may only see
patients once or twice
a year
May get depressing
dealing with the
same disease all the
time like working
for an oncologist
Both broad and detailed
knowledge is needed


4. List employment opportunities in terms of facilities where the medical office professional
may become employed. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working for a
physician practice and, for example, a hospital.

Medical office professionals may be employed in settings such as a physician practice, a
medical specialty practice, an ambulatory center, a clinic, a hospital or medical center, as
well as other settings like laboratories, nursing and retirement homes, and insurance
companies.

Type of Facility Advantages Disadvantages
Physician practice More like a typical office
setting
Patients are repeat
practice members and
become known to staff
kind of like family
Close relationship with
physician(s) and medical
staff
Lots of responsibility for
those who thrive on it
Because it is a smaller
setting, may not have as
many opportunities for
advancement
May be too much
responsibility for those
who dont thrive on it
Hospital A lot of variety
Fast paced never a dull
moment
Many opportunities for
employment
Room for advancement
Might be rather stressful
to some people
Perhaps lacking in close
relationships due to size
of staff


5. Describe the front desk tasks as they relate to a medical office.

Front desk medical office tasks include greeting patients, and other visitors like
pharmaceutical reps; verifying personal information about patients; collecting payments
and copayments. They need to be able to use a medical software package to make,
reschedule, and cancel appointments.

6. Describe basic billing and insurance tasks.

Basic tasks for billing and insurance staff include sending our error-free claims and
receiving payments from insurance companies in a timely manner. Billing staff need to
know Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and Internationals Classification of
Diseases (ICD-9) diagnosis codes. They need to know how to process electronic and
paper claims; how to use a medical software package; and be able to interpret data and
charges recorded to a patients account. They also need to be able to guide patients to
available financial arrangements for payment.

7. In what ways can the medical office professional demonstrate their respect for cultural
diversity?

Medical office professionals can best demonstrate respect for other cultures by being a
good listener and not jumping to conclusions or placing stereotypes on someone. Being
aware of major religious holidays and not scheduling appointments on those dates is
another way of showing respect. A medical office professional who is bilingual can
greatly help someone of another culture to communicate correctly with the doctor and
thus show respect for them.

8. List five communication skills needed by all medical office professionals.

Recognize and respect cultural diversity
Adapt communications to individuals understanding
Apply professional telephone and interpersonal techniques
Recognize and respond effectively to verbal, nonverbal, and written
communication
Receive, organize, prioritize, store, and maintain transmittable information in
electronic form

9. What does it mean to you to adapt communications to an individuals understanding?

Adapting communications to an individuals understanding means not talking over their
head, not using jargon that they dont understand. It means keeping it simple! Journalists
are taught to write so that a 7
th
grader can understand what they have written. As medical
office professionals, we should adopt that same philosophy in our communication.

10. Explain the basic requirements of HIPAA that applies to medical offices.

Congress passed Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA),
in part, to improve the efficiency of the nations health care system. In brief, the Act
Requires that insurance claims be submitted electronically by computer
Changed how the claims are coded
Required the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to make
rules for patient privacy and computer security that health care facilities must
follow.