18 Medical Office Management Topics Covered in the CMM Exam

The Certified Medical Manager examination covers:

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Billing and Collections

Billing cycles, overdue accounts, payment upon receipt of services vs. billing, the use of credit cards, collection agencies, and uncollectibles, 'write-offs.'

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Coding Analysis

Analyze the financial impact of proper vs. improper coding procedures on the practice, establish the manager's role and responsibilities in providing and developing the necessary resources, (including materials, tools, and trained personnel) to insure efficient and accurate coding procedures.

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Communication

Communicating via the telephone, in writing, and in person.

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Compliance

Information and procedures selected to ensure physician office practices are in compliance with federal laws, rules, and regulations.

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Conflict Management

Alternatives for managing conflict in the workplace.

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Employment and Payroll

Payroll calculations, Federal, State, FICA, and Medicare taxes, exempt vs. non-exempt employees, number of exemptions, 1-9 forms, and the INS.

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Financial Planning

Employee benefits, personal financial planning, retirement planning investments, and insurance and estate planning.

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Health Care Law

Malpractice, fraud, abuse, referral restrictions, outside business options, disabilities, patient confidentiality, medical records, collection legalities, workers' compensation, labor law, and the role and responsibilities of the medical office manager relative to legal issues.

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Human Resources

Role of the office manager in assuring ethical and legal human resource decisions are made; recruiting, evaluation, and retaining good employees, planning for growth, and staff/physician ratios.

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Managed Care

The process of ensuring that appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic regimens are implemented based on the objective and subjective symptomology of the patient.

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Managing and Leading

Various leadership/management styles and how they can affect the medical office, determining when changes are warranted and what is required to successfully implement them.

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Practice Accounting

Basic accounting concepts/terminology, understanding the financial statement, internal controls, cost concepts, pricing of medical services, budgeting, analyzing capital expenditures, and ratio of receivables to production.

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Patient Education & Practice Marketing

The use of patient surveys, educational brochures and newsletters; benefits of sending new patient packets, discussing fees, and options available to increase or maintain the patient census, and the practice identify within the ethical constraints of the profession.

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Practice Structure

Buy in/buy out, mergers, partnerships, contracts, professional corporations, and other structural options in medical practice.

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Risk Management

Insurance coverage, safety/OSHA compliance, CLIA, security, medical records documentation and confidentiality, and hazardous material handling.

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Systems Analysis and Design

The use of computer systems and software applications in the medical office, factors that determine the need for system expansion or changes, application of technology including expanded phone services, FAX machines, paging systems, and video patient education.

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Third Party Reimbursement

Medicare, Medicaid, HMOs, PPOs, workers' compensation, regulations that govern participating vs. nonparticipating, claims processing, RBRVS, and audit preparation.

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Time Management

The meaning of time management, implementing time management on a daily basis, and advantages of time management.

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