Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

Which type of mail should be used when proof is needed that a patient received a letter sent by a physician's office?

1. Priority mail

2. First-class mail

3. Express mail

4. Certified mail

The correct answer is: Certified mail

Using certified mail is the appropriate choice when proof is needed that a patient received a letter from a physician's office. Certified mail provides the sender with a receipt that confirms the mail was sent and includes a tracking number. This tracking number allows the sender to verify the delivery of the mail. Additionally, when the letter is successfully delivered, the recipient must sign for it, which provides further proof of receipt. Both priority and express mail are expedited options that do not inherently provide proof of receipt or require a signature for delivery. First-class mail is the most common and economical choice for sending letters, but it lacks the features needed to confirm delivery. Therefore, for situations that require documented evidence that a patient has received a communication, certified mail is the optimum method to ensure accountability and provide tangible proof of receipt.