If they were referred by another physician the name of that physician is required. When the new patient arrives at the medical facility they will be given a form to complete that also has these same questions plus the form acquires even more personal information on the patient. The patient will be asked to supply their social security number, their employers name address and telephone number. If the patient is married the name of their spouse is requested. If the patient is a minor, the name address, and phone number is requested of the minor’s legal guardian.
A new patient may also be asked to fill out a patient health survey form. This form requests information on the patient’s health and the patient’s family medical history. This form can be helpful when the physician is diagnosing a health problem that may be hereditary. This form also requests information on all medical procedures that the patient has had previously including surgeries that have been preformed and the outcome of any tests they may have had previously.
Evaluating a medical offices entire process is very important. Evaluation is needed to establish and maintain an efficient system. A patient charge sheet should be initiated at the …show more content…
The form is then returned to the front desk after the physicians’ examination. A copy of the patients’ charge sheet is copied and attached to the patients file.
If a patient is a returning patient the personnel at the front desk will ask if there has been any change in phone number, address, and insurance provider. The patient encounter form is also filled out for returning patients as well as new patients. The information being updated in a preexisting patients file is another important step to the patient intake process. If the information is not kept current the patient could receive the wrong medical treatment. If the insurance information has changed and is not updated the patient may be responsible for payments instead of the insurance provider or the patient could have medical services that were not covered previously are now covered. The patient could be billed for services that are covered by their provider. If the wrong provider is billed this will slow the payment down also.
Personal information must also be updated. If the patient has moved their address change needs to put into their file. All the information needs to be updated form time to time.