Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) Practice Exam

What is a serious consequence of misidentifying a patient in the Master Patient Index (MPI)?

1. The patient may be undercharged for services

2. The services will be documented in the wrong record

3. Unnecessary tests may be ordered

4. The patient may be denied care

The correct answer is: The services will be documented in the wrong record

Misidentifying a patient in the Master Patient Index (MPI) is a significant issue because it leads to the documentation of services being attributed to the incorrect patient record. This means that important health information, treatments provided, and care history may be inaccurately maintained, which can compromise continuity of care and lead to further patient safety concerns. When services are documented in the wrong record, the actual patient may not have access to their complete and correct medical history when they seek medical attention, potentially leading to inappropriate treatment decisions. Moreover, this misalignment can confuse healthcare providers, complicate administrative processes, and could result in difficulties during billing and insurance claims. While the other consequences, such as unnecessary tests being ordered, undercharging, or denying care may also stem from patient misidentification, the core issue is that the foundational records won't accurately reflect the right individual, leading to a cascade of errors in patient care and administrative procedures.