A guardian of a pediatric patient tells the medical assistant that they are unable to afford treatment and do not qualify for Medicaid. Which of the following reso should the assistant recommend?

A. Negotiate with insurance companies for increased reimbursement. Negotiating with insurance companies is typically not a responsibility of a medical assistant within a PCMH.
B. Communicate with a nurse coordinator for transportation needs. This is correct. In a PCMH model, medical assistants may coordinate with other members of the healthcare team, including nurse coordinators, to address various patient needs, including transportation.
C. Schedule admissions to a facility. While scheduling may be part of a medical assistant’s duties, it is not specific to the PCMH model.
D. Focus strictly on the course of treatment. The PCMH model involves a holistic approach to patient care, not just focusing on treatment. It includes coordination of care, addressing social determinants of health, and ensuring continuity of care.

Correct answer: A
A. Ensure the otoscope is in the room. Ensuring that the otoscope and other necessary equipment are in the room is an important step in preparing the room for a physical examination.
B. Replace the half-full sharps containers. Sharps containers should be replaced when they are three-quarters full, not necessarily when they are half-full. This action, while important, is not specific to preparing for a general physical examination.
C. Obtain preauthorization from insurance. Preauthorization is an administrative task that is not directly related to preparing an examination room.
D. Sterilize counter surfaces in the room. Cleaning and disinfecting counter surfaces is important for infection control but typically would have been done after the last patient. This action is less directly related to preparing for a general physical exam compared to ensuring the necessary equipment is present.