Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) Practice Exam

Is the patient account monitored for payment a time-of-service activity?

1. True

2. False

3. Only if the patient is self-pay

4. Only in emergency care

The correct answer is: False

Monitoring the patient account for payment is not considered a time-of-service activity. Time-of-service activities typically involve processes that occur at the point of care, such as collecting copayments or verifying insurance eligibility before services are rendered. The monitoring of a patient account for payment typically happens after the service has been provided, through billing and accounts receivable processes. This aspect indicates that while efforts to verify or collect expected payments may be initiated at the time of service, the actual monitoring and follow-up on accounts for payment occur afterward, making it distinct from time-of-service activities. Understanding this distinction is crucial for revenue cycle management, as it helps clarify where responsibilities lie in the payment collection process and when different actions should take place in relation to patient accounts.