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Patient Care Coordination and Education practice questions for the CCMA exam

Patient Care Coordination and Education is 12 of the 150 scored questions on the CCMA exam. Try 5 free questions below; open each one to see the answer, why the other options are wrong and the sources.

Question 1

How are Medicare hospice benefit periods structured?

  1. Two 90-day periods, then unlimited 60-day periods
  2. One 6-month period with no renewals
  3. Three 30-day periods, then the benefit ends
  4. Unlimited 90-day periods with no need for recertification
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Two 90-day periods, then unlimited 60-day periods

CMS allows two 90-day periods followed by an unlimited number of 60-day periods, each requiring certification of terminal illness.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. One 6-month period with no renewals: Hospice can continue beyond 6 months with recertification.
  • C. Three 30-day periods, then the benefit ends: These period lengths and the cap are incorrect.
  • D. Unlimited 90-day periods with no need for recertification: After two 90-day periods, periods are 60 days and need recertification.

Sources

Question 2

An MA tries twice to reach a recently discharged patient for the TCM contact but cannot reach her. What should the MA do?

  1. Stop trying, since two attempts are enough to meet the rule
  2. Ask the hospital to call
  3. Document each attempt and keep trying
  4. Mail a letter and close the TCM episode in the record
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Document each attempt and keep trying

CMS allows TCM after 2 or more timely, unsuccessful attempts if other requirements are met, but the attempts must be documented and the practice should keep trying until successful.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Stop trying, since two attempts are enough to meet the rule: CMS says to continue trying until the patient is reached.
  • B. Ask the hospital to call: The practice providing TCM is responsible for the contact.
  • D. Mail a letter and close the TCM episode in the record: Closing the episode abandons the transition; contact efforts must continue.

Sources

Question 3

A patient with high blood pressure says he stopped his medicine two weeks ago because he felt fine. What should the medical assistant do?

  1. Advise him to take a double dose today to catch up on missed doses
  2. Tell him it is fine to stay off it if his reading is normal
  3. Restate the provider's instructions and tell the provider
  4. Note it in the chart without telling the provider
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Restate the provider's instructions and tell the provider

WHO identifies poor adherence as the main reason patients do not get the full benefit of medicines; the MA reinforces the provider's plan, documents, and reports the nonadherence.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Advise him to take a double dose today to catch up on missed doses: Changing a dose is outside the MA's scope and may be unsafe.
  • B. Tell him it is fine to stay off it if his reading is normal: Deciding to stop a medicine is outside the MA's scope.
  • D. Note it in the chart without telling the provider: The provider needs to know about nonadherence to decide on treatment.

Sources

Question 4

Which service is one of the six disciplines covered under the Medicare home health benefit?

  1. Housekeeping as the only service
  2. Round-the-clock nursing in the home
  3. Medical social services
  4. Home-delivered meals
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Medical social services

The six home health disciplines are skilled nursing, home health aide, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and medical social services.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Housekeeping as the only service: Chores alone are not a covered home health discipline.
  • B. Round-the-clock nursing in the home: Home health covers part-time or intermittent care, not full-time nursing.
  • D. Home-delivered meals: Meals are a community (non-clinical) service, not a home health discipline.

Sources

Question 5

A patient with limited reading skills is starting a new twice-daily medicine. Which teaching approach best overcomes this barrier?

  1. Give her a detailed handout and ask her to call the office with any questions
  2. Ask whether she understands, and document her answer of yes
  3. Use plain words and pictures, then have her explain it back
  4. Use exact medical terms so the instructions are precise
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Use plain words and pictures, then have her explain it back

Plain language and pictures reduce the reading load, and the teach-back method (patient restates the plan in her own words) confirms that the teaching worked.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Give her a detailed handout and ask her to call the office with any questions: A detailed handout depends on the reading skill she lacks.
  • B. Ask whether she understands, and document her answer of yes: A yes answer does not show real understanding.
  • D. Use exact medical terms so the instructions are precise: Medical terms are a barrier for people with limited health literacy.

Sources

Patient Care Coordination and Education terms

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