COLLEGE | MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM | 75 VERIFIED
Q&A | MULTIPLE-CHOICES | DETAILED RATIONALES – GRADED A+
UNIT 1: PATIENT-CENTRIC REVENUE CYCLE (30%)
Questions 1-22
Question 1
The revenue cycle process begins with which of the following functions?
A) Charge Capture
B) Claim Submission
C) Scheduling
D) Payment Posting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The revenue cycle starts before the patient arrives for care. Scheduling is the initial point of patient
access that triggers subsequent functions like registration, insurance verification, and authorization.
Question 2
A patient schedules a knee MRI. The scheduler notices the order does not specify "contrast" or "without
contrast." What is the appropriate action?
A) Schedule the exam for "without contrast" by default
B) Ask the patient which they prefer
C) Contact the ordering physician to clarify the order
D) Schedule both to be safe
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clinical ambiguity must be resolved with the ordering provider before scheduling to ensure
appropriate care and billing.
, HFMA CRCR CERTIFICATION EXAM LATEST 2026/2027 | MARION TECHNICAL
COLLEGE | MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM | 75 VERIFIED
Q&A | MULTIPLE-CHOICES | DETAILED RATIONALES – GRADED A+
Question 3
What is the primary advantage of a pre-registration program for the provider?
A) It guarantees payment in full at the time of service
B) It allows for complete insurance verification and patient education before the day of service
C) It eliminates the need for prior authorization
D) It increases the number of patients seen per day
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pre-registration allows the provider to verify insurance coverage, obtain prior authorizations, and
educate patients about financial responsibility before the day of service.
Question 4
What is the purpose of the Master Patient Index (MPI)?
A) To track employee attendance
B) To uniquely identify patients and link their records across the organization
C) To store insurance contract information
D) To manage physician credentials
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The MPI is a permanent database of all patients treated by a healthcare organization. Accurate
identification prevents duplicate records and ensures data integrity.
Question 5
Which statement applies to the observation patient type?
, HFMA CRCR CERTIFICATION EXAM LATEST 2026/2027 | MARION TECHNICAL
COLLEGE | MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM | 75 VERIFIED
Q&A | MULTIPLE-CHOICES | DETAILED RATIONALES – GRADED A+
A) It is used for patients who have been formally admitted
B) It is used to evaluate the need for an inpatient admission
C) It is used only for surgical patients
D) It is always reimbursed at the same rate as inpatient care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Observation status is a specific outpatient service used to determine if a patient requires inpatient
admission.
Question 6
What are non-emergency patients who come for service without prior notification to the provider called?
A) Scheduled patients
B) Referred patients
C) Unscheduled patients
D) Walk-in patients
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unscheduled patients arrive for service without prior notification to the provider.
Question 7
What does a "recurring" or "series" registration allow a provider to do?
A) Bill the patient only once for multiple visits
B) Create one registration record for multiple days of service
C) Waive all insurance requirements
D) Eliminate the need for charge capture
, HFMA CRCR CERTIFICATION EXAM LATEST 2026/2027 | MARION TECHNICAL
COLLEGE | MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM | 75 VERIFIED
Q&A | MULTIPLE-CHOICES | DETAILED RATIONALES – GRADED A+
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A recurring or series registration allows the provider to establish a single registration record that
covers multiple service dates.
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) questionnaire?
A) To determine if the patient has a living will
B) To determine if another payer is primary to Medicare
C) To calculate the patient's IRMAA
D) To verify the patient's primary care physician election
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MSP rules require Medicare to be secondary if the patient has other primary coverage.
Question 9
What is the purpose of the 270/271 electronic transaction set?
A) Claim submission
B) Eligibility, coverage, and benefit inquiry and response
C) Claim status request and response
D) Electronic remittance advice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 270 transaction is used to inquire about a patient's health care coverage and benefits. The 271 is
the response from the health plan.
Question 10