The partner of a patient comes into the office demanding to know what the patient was seen for and why they were charged for the visit. Which of the following the best way for the medical assistant to handle this situation when no medical records release authorization form is on file?
Advise them that privacy regulations prevent releasing patient information regardless of their relationship to the patient.
Verbally share the patient information with them since they are the subscriber on the patient's medical insurance.
Reassure them that they have nothing to worry about since their partner's visit was only a follow-up to a minor surgery.
Instruct them to provide proof of identity prior to providing the requested information.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Advise them that privacy regulations prevent releasing patient information regardless of their relationship to the patient: Privacy regulations, such as those outlined in HIPAA, restrict the release of patient information without proper authorization, regardless of the inquirer’s relationship to the patient.
B. Verbally share the patient information with them since they are the subscriber on the patient's medical insurance: Even if the partner is the insurance subscriber, patient information cannot be disclosed without the patient’s explicit authorization.
C. Reassure them that they have nothing to worry about since their partner's visit was only a follow-up to a minor surgery: Providing details about the visit without authorization violates patient privacy and confidentiality.
D. Instruct them to provide proof of identity prior to providing the requested information: Proof of identity is not sufficient without a medical records release authorization form to disclose patient information.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Home health care: Home health care services include assistance with personal care and meal preparation for individuals who need help with daily activities but do not require 24-hour medical supervision.
B. Hospice care: Hospice care is focused on end-of-life comfort and pain management, not on routine personal care or meal preparation.
C. Assisted living facility: Assisted living facilities provide residential care and help with daily activities but are not arranged directly for home-based care.
D. Skilled nursing facility: Skilled nursing facilities provide more intensive medical care and supervision, which is beyond the level of personal care and meal preparation needed.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Place a pulse oximeter on the patient's earlobe: A pulse oximeter measures oxygen saturation and pulse but is not used for manually palpating the pulse.
B. Palpate the patient's radial artery: The radial artery, located at the wrist, is commonly palpated to manually obtain the pulse.
C. Place a pulse oximeter on the patient's finger: A pulse oximeter measures pulse rate and oxygen saturation but does not involve manual palpation.
D. Palpate the patient's popliteal artery: The popliteal artery is located behind the knee and is less commonly used for routine pulse measurement compared to the radial artery.