NHA - Certified Medical Administrative
Assistant (CMAA) Study Guide AVTEC
Updated 2026
1. Computer Scheduling - ANSWER-Electronic appointment book
2. Book Scheduling - ANSWER-Hard copy appointment book
3. Wave Booking - ANSWER-Patients are scheduled at the same time each hour to create
short-term flexibility each hour.
4. Modified Wave Booking - ANSWER-Wave booking can be modified in a couple of
different ways. One example of this approach is to schedule two patients to come at 9
a.m. and one patient at 9:30 a.m. This hourly cycle is repeated throughout the day.
5. Double Booking - ANSWER-Two patients are scheduled to come at the same time to see
the same physician.
6. Stream/time-Specific Scheduling - ANSWER-Scheduling patients for specific times at
regular intervals. The amount of time allotted depends on the reason for the visit.
7. Open Booking (tidal wave scheduling) - ANSWER-Patients are not scheduled for a
specific time, but told to come in at intermittent times. They are seen in the order in
which the arrive.
8. Cluster or Categorization Booking - ANSWER-Booking a number of patients who have
specific needs together at the same time of day.
9. Matrix - ANSWER-A grid with time slots blocked out when physicians are unavailable
or the office is closed.
10. Template - ANSWER-A document with a preset format that is used as a starting point so
that it does not have e recreated each time.
11. Screening System - ANSWER-Procedures to prioritize the urgency of a call to determine
when the patient should be seen.
12. Certified Mail - ANSWER-First-class mail that also gives the mail added protection by
offering insurance, tracking, and return receipt options.
13. Appointment Cards - ANSWER-Used to remind patients of scheduled appointments and
to eliminate misunderstandings about dates and time.
, 14. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 - ANSWER-
Legislation that includes Title II, the first parameters designed to protect the privacy and
security of patient information.
15. What are three advantages of computer scheduling? - ANSWER-Display available and
scheduled times; length and type of appointment required and day or time preferences.
16. When scheduling appointments, what factors need to be taken into account? - ANSWER-
The needs of the patient, the habits and preferences of the provider, and the capacity of
the facility.
17. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) - ANSWER-An electronic record of health
information that is created, added to, managed, and reviewed by authorized providers and
staff within a single health care organization.
18. Advance Directive Form - ANSWER-Document that spells out what kind of treatment a
patient wants in the event that he can't speak for himself. Also known as living will.
19. Protected Health Information (PHI) - ANSWER-Information about health status or health
care that can be linked to a specific individual.
20. What are three types of demographics? - ANSWER-Name, address, and marital status.
21. Health Insurance - ANSWER-Financial support for medical needs, hospitalization,
medically necessary diagnostic tests and procedures, and may kinds of preventive
services.
22. Electronic Health Record (EHR) - ANSWER-An electronic health record of health-
related information about a patient that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability
standards that can be created, managed, and reviewed by authorized providers and staff
from more than one health care organization.
23. Co payment - ANSWER-Fees collected from patient at the time of services.
24. Guarantor - ANSWER-Person or entity responsible for the remaining payment of
services after insurance has paid.
25. Birthday Rule - ANSWER-The health plan of the parent whose birthday comes first in
the calendar year is designated as the primary plan.
26. Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) - ANSWER-A group of codes
and descriptors used to represent health care procedures, supplies, products, and services.
27. Reimbursement - ANSWER-Payment from insurance companies.
Assistant (CMAA) Study Guide AVTEC
Updated 2026
1. Computer Scheduling - ANSWER-Electronic appointment book
2. Book Scheduling - ANSWER-Hard copy appointment book
3. Wave Booking - ANSWER-Patients are scheduled at the same time each hour to create
short-term flexibility each hour.
4. Modified Wave Booking - ANSWER-Wave booking can be modified in a couple of
different ways. One example of this approach is to schedule two patients to come at 9
a.m. and one patient at 9:30 a.m. This hourly cycle is repeated throughout the day.
5. Double Booking - ANSWER-Two patients are scheduled to come at the same time to see
the same physician.
6. Stream/time-Specific Scheduling - ANSWER-Scheduling patients for specific times at
regular intervals. The amount of time allotted depends on the reason for the visit.
7. Open Booking (tidal wave scheduling) - ANSWER-Patients are not scheduled for a
specific time, but told to come in at intermittent times. They are seen in the order in
which the arrive.
8. Cluster or Categorization Booking - ANSWER-Booking a number of patients who have
specific needs together at the same time of day.
9. Matrix - ANSWER-A grid with time slots blocked out when physicians are unavailable
or the office is closed.
10. Template - ANSWER-A document with a preset format that is used as a starting point so
that it does not have e recreated each time.
11. Screening System - ANSWER-Procedures to prioritize the urgency of a call to determine
when the patient should be seen.
12. Certified Mail - ANSWER-First-class mail that also gives the mail added protection by
offering insurance, tracking, and return receipt options.
13. Appointment Cards - ANSWER-Used to remind patients of scheduled appointments and
to eliminate misunderstandings about dates and time.
, 14. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 - ANSWER-
Legislation that includes Title II, the first parameters designed to protect the privacy and
security of patient information.
15. What are three advantages of computer scheduling? - ANSWER-Display available and
scheduled times; length and type of appointment required and day or time preferences.
16. When scheduling appointments, what factors need to be taken into account? - ANSWER-
The needs of the patient, the habits and preferences of the provider, and the capacity of
the facility.
17. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) - ANSWER-An electronic record of health
information that is created, added to, managed, and reviewed by authorized providers and
staff within a single health care organization.
18. Advance Directive Form - ANSWER-Document that spells out what kind of treatment a
patient wants in the event that he can't speak for himself. Also known as living will.
19. Protected Health Information (PHI) - ANSWER-Information about health status or health
care that can be linked to a specific individual.
20. What are three types of demographics? - ANSWER-Name, address, and marital status.
21. Health Insurance - ANSWER-Financial support for medical needs, hospitalization,
medically necessary diagnostic tests and procedures, and may kinds of preventive
services.
22. Electronic Health Record (EHR) - ANSWER-An electronic health record of health-
related information about a patient that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability
standards that can be created, managed, and reviewed by authorized providers and staff
from more than one health care organization.
23. Co payment - ANSWER-Fees collected from patient at the time of services.
24. Guarantor - ANSWER-Person or entity responsible for the remaining payment of
services after insurance has paid.
25. Birthday Rule - ANSWER-The health plan of the parent whose birthday comes first in
the calendar year is designated as the primary plan.
26. Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) - ANSWER-A group of codes
and descriptors used to represent health care procedures, supplies, products, and services.
27. Reimbursement - ANSWER-Payment from insurance companies.
