FAQ Document for The Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and
Physician EMR
Technical Questions
I have a technical support question. Who should I call to have my issue
resolved? Cengage Learning? Optum™?
When will my Optum™ login expire?
What if another user shares my computer—will I lose my work?
What are the bandwidth requirements for Optum™?
Which internet browsers are compatible with Optum™?
Optum is a real-world PM and EHR solution. Are there any features or functionality in
Cengage’s “education” version that are limited or restricted due to the nature of the
simulated environment?
Text-Specific Questions
How does the software come with the book? Do the students need to download
or install anything to access the software?
What is the total number of scenarios covered in the Optum™ text and software?
Can the text be used as a supplement for a broader course rather than just using
it for a one or two credit standalone EHR course?
Is there an eBook option available?
Does the text include any patient portal activities?
Does the text include an activity to have students drop a claim to the CMS-1500
form?
In some cases, the screenshots in the text don’t match what I’m seeing in the
Optum software. Is this an error?
Software-Specific Questions
How do students save their work?
Does the Optum™ software have the ability to create claims?
Once a test or injection is ordered in the Optum™ software, how can you tell
when it’s completed and by whom?
FAQ Document for The Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and
Physician EMR
Can students add patient information into Optum™ that is not included in the
textbook activities? Is there a limit to the number of patients that can be added to
Optum™?
Are ICD-10 codes included in Optum™?
Will Optum™ have computer assisted coding functionality available for training
purposes as opposed to a superbill checklist?
What do I do if I receive a duplicate session error message?
How do I undo or delete incorrect information that I entered into Optum?
Instructor Questions
How do I check student work? Can instructors view student work online?
Best Practices for taking screen shots
Will the student work be watermarked so that students can’t share work?
Will instructors be able to set up gradebooks with Cengage for their students?
Is there a certificate of completion available for students?
I have a technical support question. Who should I call to have my
issue resolved? Cengage Learning? Optum™?
Cengage Learning is providing technical support for the core book version of The
Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and Physician EMR and both workbook
versions.
 Phone: 1-800-354-9706
 Website: www.cengage.com/support
When will my Optum™ login expire?
Optum™ PM and Physician EMR logins will expire 12 months after initial login.
What if another user shares my computer—will I lose my work?
You will not lose your work. Since Optum™ PM and Physician EMR is web-based, you
can access it from any computer or tablet that has an internet connection. Each user will
have their own log-in information and can save their work each time they log-in and out
of the Optum™ system.
What are the bandwidth requirements for Optum™?
The bandwidth requirements are 60 kb per user with a T1 connection, and 300 kb per
user with a cable or DSL connection.
FAQ Document for The Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and
Physician EMR
Optum is a real-world PM and EHR solution. Are there any features
or functionality in Cengage’s “education” version that are limited or
restricted due to the nature of the simulated environment?
Activities in Optum™ that are not functional or are simulations in the student
environment are listed in the table below.
 In general, ClaimsManager is not active, and related activities are not functional
(we have provided simulations and workarounds).
 FYI Boxes contain examples of “real-world/live environment” workflows and
screenshots.
 Refer to example of workaround for Paper 1500 claim forms created.
ACTIVITY PAGE ACTIVITY TITLE
NO.
NO.
156
3-8
View and Perform
Eligibility CheckElectronic
Eligibility Checks
COMMENT
Students can perform
activity, but insurance
information displayed
will be different than that
of the patient’s
demographics.
Students can perform
activity, but only a
“shell” of the MU
statistics display.
5-1
235
Viewing the
Meaningful Use
Dashboard
7-2
324
7-3
338
Print option for lab orders
is functional.
Print option for
prescriptions is
functional.
7-16
372
Add a New Lab
Order
Add a Medication
as a Function of
Managing the List
of Favorites
Create an Outgoing
Referral
7-19
381
Capture a Visit
Students will receive an
“error message” but
transaction is saved.
9-7
484
Workflow for
Electronic
Submission of
Claims
9-9
489
Generate a Paper
Claim
Students will simulate
generating claims by
completing the steps in
the activity, but will not
be submitted to insurance
companies.
Students will complete
the activity, but the paper
1500 form will not
Print option for outgoing
referrals is functional.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Figure 5-6 illustrates
a fully functional
MU Core
Requirements
Dashboard.
Cannot send
electronic lab orders.
Cannot send
electronic
Prescriptions.
Cannot send
electronic outgoing
referrals.
Activity is
functional; however,
an error message will
be received since
ClaimsManager is
not active.
ClaimsManager is
not active.
Refer to paper 1500
workaround
provided if
FAQ Document for The Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and
Physician EMR
10-2
551
Search Crossover
Claims
10-3
552
Individually Check
Claim Status
Electronically
generate. The claim will
“generate” for completing
this and future activities,
but will not pass to
insurance company or
print.
Students will be able to
complete the activity, but
there are no Crossover
Claims to “work” here.
Students will be able to
complete the activity, but
the Claims Status Details
will display different
information (e.g. Payer,
Submitter, etc.)
instructors want
students to complete
a paper 1500.
Instructions for a
“live” environment
are outlined in Steps
7a and b.
Which internet browsers are compatible with Optum™?
For PCs, only Internet Explorer (versions 8, 9, and 10) is compatible with Optum™.
Please note that Windows 8 will support Internet Explorer 10, but will not support
Internet Explorer 8 or 9. Compatibility with Internet Explorer 11 is coming soon.
Compatibility with Google Chrome is also coming soon and should be ready by January
1, 2015. Students can also access Optum™ on an iPad and it is compatible with Safari for
iPad; however, students must use Internet Explorer to register their access codes and log
in to Optum™ for the first time.
How does the software come with the book? Do the students need to
download or install anything to access the software?
The Optum student version from Cengage Learning can be accessed at
www.cengage.com/optumsimulation.
On the inside front cover of the core book and the two workbooks there will be a
username and password printed. Each student will have his or her own individual
username and password. The first time the student logs in, Optum™ will tell them that
they successfully registered their code. Before they can begin working in their
environment, they have to wait for an email confirmation to be sent to them to tell them
that they can go in and start working. This usually happens within an hour, but should not
take longer than 24 hours.
The Optum™ software is cloud-based and fully online, and does not require any
downloads or installations.
What is the total number of scenarios covered in the Optum™ text
and software?
There are 30-40 hours of activities in the core textbook and 20-25 hours of activities in
the workbook. Please note that skipping any activity will result in later activities not
functioning properly. Follow the step-by-step instructions provided in each activity. Mini
FAQ Document for The Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and
Physician EMR
case studies at the end of each chapter should be completed before moving on to the next
chapter.
The specific number of activities breaks down as follows:
 The Paperless Medical Office (Core Book)
o 144 step-by step activities in Chapters 2-10
o 36 end of chapter “mini” case studies in Chapters 2-10 (The case studies
do not include step-by-step instructions)
o 9 case studies in Chapter 11 (The case studies do not include step-by-step
instructions)
 The Paperless Medical Office Workbook (Workbook)
o 126 step-by-step activities in Chapters 2-10
o 19 end of chapter “mini” case studies in Chapters 2-10 (The case studies
do not include step-by-step instructions)
o 7 case studies in Chapter 11 (The case studies do not include step-by-step
instructions)
 The Paperless Medical Office for Billers and Coders (Workbook)
o 66 step-by step activities in Chapters 1-8
o 21 end of chapter “mini” case studies in Chapters 3-8 (The case studies do
not include step-by-step instructions)
o 3 case studies in Chapter 9 (The case studies do not include step-by-step
instructions)
Can the text be used as a supplement for a broader course rather
than just using it for a one or two credit standalone EHR course?
The comprehensive textbook is geared towards a standalone electronic health records
course or a robust EHR portion of a Medical Assisting course as a primary textbook
rather than a supplement. The two workbooks would be a good option for programs
looking for supplementary practice rather than a full course.
Is there an eBook option available?
Yes, there is an eBook option. The eBook is a MindTap Reader.
Does the text include any patient portal activities?
Optum™ does have a patient portal called HealthTracker. However, HealthTracker is not
functional in the student environment.
Does the text include an activity to have students drop a claim to the
CMS-1500 form?
There is an activity where students are instructed to print a paper claim form and it goes
through the instructions on how to rebill to paper. This is only considered a simulated
activity however, since the paper claim form will not actually print in the student
environment. Students will receive an error message instead. An optional activity has
been created where students will complete a paper CMS-1500 form. This activity will be
posted to the instructor companion website.
FAQ Document for The Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and
Physician EMR
In some cases, the screenshots in the text don’t match what I’m seeing in
the Optum software. Is this an error?
This is not an error. Please see Disclaimer on Page xvii of the text preface. Screenshots
are for reference only and not to be used in place of step-by-step instructions. Due to the
evolving nature and continuous upgrades of real world EMRs such as this one, as you log
in and work in your student version of Optum there may be a slightly different look to
your live screen from the screenshots provided in the text.
How do students save their work?
As students complete the activities, every Optum™ screen has a save button that students
can use to save their work. The step-by-step activities in the textbook include specific
instructions on how to save student work. There are also instructions on how students can
print screen shots and print out reports.
Does the Optum™ software have the ability to create claims?
Optum™ does actually generate the claims, but because the ClaimsManager function is
not active in the student environment, students will receive an error message. However,
the transaction will be saved.
Once a test or injection is ordered in the Optum™ software, how can
you tell when it’s completed and by whom?
In the Immunizations module it does show who ordered the immunization, when it was
administered, and who administered it. Also, as with any real world EMR, there is a
tracking feature. At any time you can log in and see who entered what when, and it will
be tracked by their login. There are activities in the textbook that tell you how to run the
operator activity log and be able to tell what was completed when and by whom.
Can students add patient information into Optum™ that is not
included in the textbook activities? Is there a limit to the number of
patients that can be added to Optum™?
The Optum™ text includes a lot of robust activities and there are many patients
registered in the database. However, students can create their own patient entries, and
schools can create their own assignments and scenarios if they so choose. There is no
limit on the number of patients that can be added.
Are ICD-10 codes included in Optum™?
Currently, ICD-9 is the primary diagnosis coding system used in the student version of
Optum™ PM and Physician EMR. However, when capturing a visit students are able to
search for diagnosis codes. In the top left corner of the search results window, students
can choose to review either ICD-9 or ICD-10-CM codes. Optum™ is also currently
working to expand the inclusion of ICD-10 codes in the system and they will be added
FAQ Document for The Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and
Physician EMR
soon. Since the Optum™ student version is a live environment, as soon as ICD-10 codes
are explanded for Optum™ users, Cengage customers will have access to the ICD-10
codes as well. The ICD-10 codes will be added to all Cengage environments, even those
that have already been activated by students.
Will Optum™ have computer assisted coding functionality available
for training purposes as opposed to a superbill checklist?
EncoderPro is available in Optum™. It pulls up very similarly to a paper encounter form.
As students put through the procedures and diagnoses, they will see an EncoderPro
button on the visit encounter screen. When they click on the EncoderPro button, it will
take them to the EncoderPro website and check those codes for accuracy.
How do I undo or delete incorrect information that I entered into Optum?
You cannot “undo” or “delete” in a real-world EHR (just as you would not delete or
white out information in a paper chart). Each function can be reversed, edited, or an
addendum added. This is a requirement and feature of every real-world EHR. Every EHR
provides a “digital footprint” of every action/activity. Audit logs provide that digital
footprint (see Activity 2-5, page 67-68).
What do I do if I receive a duplicate session error message?
If you receive a duplicate session error message, close your browser window. Open a new
Internet Explorer browser window and in the new window select File -> New Session.
You should now be able to access Optum.
How do I check student work? Can instructors check student work
online?
We have provided answer keys that instructors can use to check student work in the
Optum™ program. Each activity in the text and workbooks includes a “print prompt” that
instructs students to print a screenshot or report showing the work they have completed.
The correct screenshots and reports are posted to the instructor companion website for
instructor reference. Please note that while each activity includes a print prompt it is up
to each individual instructor to determine whether they want students to submit work
for that activity. The print prompts function as a guideline only.
In order for instructors to check student work online, they would need access to the
student’s username and password. There is no instructor code associated with the student
logins that instructors can access to check student work.
Best Practices for Taking Screen Shots
1. Find the screen you need to print out
FAQ Document for The Paperless Medical Office: Using Optum™ PM and
Physician EMR
2. Press Print Screen key on computer keypad (you may have to press the function,
ALT or CNTRL keys in conjunction with the print screen key; this depends on the
computer you’re working on)
3. Open a Word document
4. Enter Paste command
5. Image from screen will paste onto Word Document
Will the student work be watermarked so that students can’t share
work?
Whenever a user logs in with a specific username, that username appears in the top right
corner of each Optum™ screen. When the students print their work for submission,
instructors can require that all screenshots include the student’s username.
Will instructors be able to set up gradebooks with Cengage for their
students?
Because Optum™ is a real world solution there isn’t a way to have reporting set up so
that instructors can track how their students are doing in the software. There is no way for
Optum™ activities to feed into a gradebook. Instead, students are required to submit
screenshots and print reports to show the work they’ve done.
Is there a certificate of completion available for students?
Yes, on the Instructor Companion Site under “Additional Student Materials” we have
posted a certification of completion. This can be printed and filled out to give to students
upon completing the activities in the book.