Which statement about accepting a new patient is true?

Which statement about accepting a new patient is true?

• A. A provider must accept a new patient after the initial exam
• B. A provider may delay acceptance for an extended period
• C. A provider must accept a new patient once health history is collected
• D. Acceptance is allowed only if there is an existing patient relationship

Answer: (C)

Understanding when a new patient relationship begins. Collecting health history provides the critical information clinicians need to assess risks, plan appropriate care, and determine the patient’s needs. Once that information is on file, there is a basis to move forward with accepting the patient into ongoing care and scheduling treatment, rather than delaying indefinitely or requiring an existing patient relationship. The other statements imply triggers that aren’t reliable or appropriate in most practice settings: you don’t have to wait for an initial exam to decide acceptance, and you don’t need a pre-existing relationship to accept new patients. In short, health history collection supplies the information that supports establishing care with a new patient.

Understanding when a new patient relationship begins. Collecting health history provides the critical information clinicians need to assess risks, plan appropriate care, and determine the patient’s needs. Once that information is on file, there is a basis to move forward with accepting the patient into ongoing care and scheduling treatment, rather than delaying indefinitely or requiring an existing patient relationship. The other statements imply triggers that aren’t reliable or appropriate in most practice settings: you don’t have to wait for an initial exam to decide acceptance, and you don’t need a pre-existing relationship to accept new patients. In short, health history collection supplies the information that supports establishing care with a new patient.