A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's encounter form before processing it and notices a charge for a service that was not actually performed. What is the MOST appropriate initial action for the assistant to take to prevent a fraudulent claim from being submitted?
Bring the discrepancy to the attention of the provider or the office manager for correction.
Alter the patient's progress note to include documentation that supports the service charge.
Submit the claim and wait to see if the insurance payer flags the unperformed service.
Ask a fellow medical assistant what they think should be done about the error.
The correct action is to bring the error to the attention of the person responsible for the entry, such as the provider or the billing manager, so it can be corrected before a claim is created. Submitting a claim for a service not rendered is illegal and constitutes fraud. Altering the medical record to justify an incorrect charge is also fraudulent. Simply submitting the incorrect claim or asking a coworker for an opinion instead of reporting the error to a supervisor are both incorrect and unethical actions.
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Why is it considered fraud to submit a claim with services that weren't performed?
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What steps should a medical office assistant follow if they notice a billing discrepancy?
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