Understanding The Patient Intake Process

Joseph Jackson

University of Phoenix

Claims Preparation I: Clean Bills of Health

HCR/220 Version 4

Donna De Grio Winnegar

January 12, 2014
Abstract

Having the ability to understand and recognize the patient intake process is really imperative when working with concerns of patients entering the health-care systems. During the new patient process a practice has to be prepared to collect as much patient information about the patient’s medical history and other pertinent information has to be obtained at the time of the visit. If a new patient is in a practice the clerical staff will need to focus on the preregistration process and will need to verify scheduling information. The practice is also responsible for prior medical history, patient information (including demographics’) insurance information, assignment of benefits, and acknowledgement of receipt of notice of privacy practices must all be obtained when a patient enters the health system. When a patient is established he or she must update his or her records at every appointment. A new patient is classified as someone who has not received any services from the provider over the last three years. An established patient is one that has been seen by the provider at the practice within the past three years (McGraw-Hill 2014). If the process is unorganized the patient flow process will create displeased patients, potentially poor patient care, and possibly aggravated employees. To improve the overall patient process when a patient arrives and has an encounter with the practice everyone should be involved in the process to ensure the best overall process. To improve any process you must have an idea as to what changes are needed in order to implement new changes. To learn what needs to be improved first you have to know what steps are currently in