Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) Practice Exam

How are patient reminder calls utilized?

1. To confirm insurance eligibility

2. To ensure the patient follows prep instructions and arrives on time for service

3. To collect payment details over the phone

4. To provide general health information

The correct answer is: To ensure the patient follows prep instructions and arrives on time for service

Patient reminder calls are primarily utilized to ensure that patients follow preparation instructions and arrive on time for their scheduled appointments. By reminding patients of their appointments, healthcare providers can enhance attendance rates and improve the overall efficiency of the revenue cycle. These reminder calls often include important information related to the services for which the patient is scheduled, such as dietary restrictions, medication adjustments, or other preparatory steps that may be necessary for the procedure or appointment. Completing preparations prior to an appointment is crucial for both the patient’s health and the provider’s operations. If a patient does not follow these prep instructions, it could lead to delays, cancellations, or even the need to reschedule the appointment, which can negatively impact revenue and patient satisfaction. In contrast, confirmation of insurance eligibility typically involves checking the patient's insurance details through separate administrative processes, while collecting payment details over the phone pertains to billing and financial discussions that happen at a different stage of interaction. Providing general health information, while valuable, does not directly relate to the specific purpose of reminding patients about upcoming appointments and their preparation needs. Therefore, the role of reminder calls is specifically targeted at encouraging patient compliance with appointment-related instructions, making the choice about preparation and attendance the best answer.