Administrative assisting is 12 of the 150 scored items on the NHA CCMA. Answer 10 exam style questions on billing and collections and see exactly which concepts would cost you points on test day.
Start the 10 questions →What does an accounts receivable aging report show?
These questions cover accounts receivable, collections, billing statements, posting payments and financial policy. Each one shows the correct answer and why every other option is wrong, so a miss tells you exactly what to review before the CCMA.
Prefer to read first? Every question from the practice set above, with the correct answer and why each wrong option is wrong.
Answer: A. An aging report groups outstanding balances by how long they have been unpaid (for example, 0 to 30, 31 to 60, 61 to 90, and over 90 days), helping staff prioritize follow-up.
Why not B: Equipment age is tracked in inventory records.
Why not C: Patient age is not what the report measures.
Why not D: Staff ages are not part of A/R.
Exam tactic: Aging = how old the unpaid balance is.
Answer: D. Once an account is assigned to a collection agency, the practice documents the transfer and typically stops its own collection efforts to avoid duplicate contacts. Payments received are reported to the agency.
Why not A: Duplicate collection contacts can confuse and harass the patient.
Why not B: Records are kept, not deleted.
Why not C: Discussing a patient's debt with others breaches confidentiality.
Exam tactic: Sent to collections: document it, stop your own dunning.
Answer: B. A clear statement shows each date of service, description, charges, insurance payments, adjustments, patient payments, and the balance due, with contact information for questions.
Why not A: Detailed medical history does not belong on a statement.
Why not C: Statements should be itemized so patients can understand them.
Why not D: Other patients' information is never included.
Exam tactic: Clear statement = itemized, with contact info.
Answer: C. Charge $120 − insurance payment $80 − contractual adjustment $20 = $20 remaining as the patient's responsibility (for example, coinsurance or deductible), as shown on the remittance.
Why not A: $40 ignores the contractual adjustment.
Why not B: $120 ignores both the payment and adjustment.
Why not D: $0 would require a larger payment or adjustment.
Exam tactic: Charge − payment − adjustment = patient balance.
Answer: B. A financial policy sets clear expectations about payment at the time of service, insurance billing, payment plans, and fees, which reduces disputes. The signed acknowledgment is kept on file.
Why not A: It is a general policy, not a lab requirement.
Why not C: It does not authorize access to bank accounts.
Why not D: It does not replace insurance information.
Exam tactic: Clear money rules up front, signed.
Answer: D. Discounts and write-offs must follow written policy, be applied consistently, and be documented. Routinely waiving copays or deductibles, especially for federal program patients, can create legal and contractual problems.
Why not A: Routine waivers for Medicare patients can violate federal rules.
Why not B: Personal preference is not an acceptable basis.
Why not C: Hiding adjustments is deceptive.
Exam tactic: Write-offs follow written policy, documented.
Answer: B. Copays are part of the patient's plan responsibility and are commonly collected at check-in. Collecting at the time of service reduces billing costs and unpaid balances.
Why not A: The practice collects copays as part of routine procedure.
Why not C: Insurance does not pay the patient's copay.
Why not D: Waiting months increases unpaid balances.
Exam tactic: Copay at check-in.
Answer: A. Patient overpayments are refunded or, with the patient's agreement, applied to another open balance on that patient's account according to policy and state law.
Why not B: Waiting on the patient is not appropriate handling.
Why not C: Overpayments are not gifts to staff.
Why not D: Overpayments belong to the patient until resolved.
Exam tactic: Overpaid? Refund or apply with consent.
Answer: A. Cycle billing divides accounts into groups (for example, by last name) and bills each group on a different day, spreading the workload and cash flow across the month.
Why not B: Billing everyone on one day is monthly billing, not cycle billing.
Why not C: Annual billing delays collections.
Why not D: Insurance is billed promptly regardless of patient payment.
Exam tactic: Cycle billing = staggered statements.
Answer: A. The revenue cycle generally runs: scheduling and registration with insurance verification, visit and charge capture, coding, claim submission, payment posting, patient statements, and follow-up on denials and balances.
Why not B: Denial follow-up is a later step.
Why not C: Final statements come after insurance adjudication.
Why not D: Posting payments happens after claims are processed.
Exam tactic: Revenue cycle starts at the front desk.
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