How often should an MAA update the demographics of an established patient?

Updating the demographics of an established patient at every visit is essential for maintaining accurate and current records. This practice ensures that the healthcare facility has the latest information about the patient's address, contact information, insurance details, and any changes in their health status that may have occurred since the last visit. Accurate demographic data is crucial for effective communication, billing purposes, and ensuring that the patient receives the appropriate care. Regular updates enhance the quality of patient interactions and can significantly improve the efficiency of the practice.

Other options suggest less frequent updates, which could lead to outdated or incorrect information being retained in the patient’s records. For instance, limiting updates to once a year may overlook significant changes that occur between visits, while updating information only during referrals to specialists or when preparing billing statements might not capture all necessary adjustments to the patient's demographic details.