Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) Practice Exam

What term describes non-emergency patients who arrive for service without prior notification to the provider?

1. Scheduled patients

2. Unscheduled patients

3. Emergency patients

4. Pre-registered patients

The correct answer is: Unscheduled patients

The term that describes non-emergency patients who arrive for service without prior notification to the provider is "unscheduled patients." This designation is used in medical settings to differentiate patients who have not made an appointment or who do not have a scheduled time for their visit from those who have pre-arranged their appointment. Unscheduled patients may present themselves for various reasons, such as unexpected health issues or the need for problems to be addressed without having notified the facility in advance. The classification helps healthcare providers manage resources and plan for patient care more effectively, as unscheduled patients may impact wait times and provider availability. The other terms refer to different categories of patients: scheduled patients have appointments, emergency patients require immediate care due to urgent health issues, and pre-registered patients have completed necessary registration steps ahead of time. These distinctions are essential for understanding patient flow and operational efficiency in healthcare facilities.