Question

which of the following actions should a medical assistant take when a patient pays with cash?

place the cash in the petty cash drawer for future needs.

credit the correct amount of the payment to the patient account and give them a receipt.

inform the patient that they do not need to pay now and can pay later when the third - party payer has sent their reimbursement.

call the office manager to the front desk to handle the cash.

Explanation:

When a patient pays with cash, proper accounting and record - keeping are essential. Placing cash in the petty - cash drawer for future needs is not a proper accounting practice for patient payments. Informing the patient they don't need to pay now when they are paying with cash is incorrect as payment is being made at that moment. Calling the office manager to handle the cash is an unnecessary step if the medical assistant is trained in handling cash payments. Crediting the correct amount to the patient account and giving a receipt ensures accurate financial records and provides proof of payment to the patient.

Answer:

Credit the correct amount of the payment to the patient account and give them a receipt.