Understanding the Patient Intake Process

Understanding The Patient Intake Process

Name

University of Phoenix - Axia

February 12, 2012

Instruction

Understanding The Patient Intake Process

The patient intake process is designed to retrieve patient information, new or established during the check in process at a clinic, hospital, or doctor's office. It is important to maintain an efficient intake process and a strong patient flow.

The intake process is something that change from patient to patient, and can also vary from hospitals. The intake process is a very valuable one because this is when all of a patient's information is gathered. Hospitals or doctors will ask for specific information and then they double-check key data to make sure that all the information is correct. Patients who are established patients to that facility will have to update their file and make any necessary changes to their file. New patients have to complete these five steps: preregistration and scheduling information, medical history, patient/sponsor information and insurance information, assignment of benefits, and acknowledgement of receipt of notice of privacy practices.

A further part of the patient visit is by providing the physician's office with the most accurate information, such as personal information including address, phone number, social security number, date of birth, gender, health information, health history, and the reason for the visit. Providing this information will establish financial responsibility and allow the office staff to determine eligibility as well as the extent of his or her coverage. For a patient who is already established with the office, the office staff will inquire if any information such as address, telephone number, employment, or anything that would change the insurance information. An established patient should be checking his or her information once a year to ensure data integrity. One way to reduce waiting times is to have the forms available online or mail the forms to the patient in advance.

Most practices have upgraded to electronic systems for it makes the whole intake process a bit easier. This is another way that can help speed up scheduling process is to allow patients to register and complete any forms online. When a patient does this it puts them into the office computer so they will automatically be sent reminders for appointments and other providers instructions. During this intake process the office will see if the patient has a PPO or a HMO and will let them know if they have to pay any extra money for services that aren't allowed by their insurance provider. That's why this is another process that should be filled out correctly, if not a patient could end up not knowing until the last minute that they have to pay for services.

Completing the medical history form is a thing to

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