Which statement best defines an Established patient?

• A. A patient of yours from day one to at least 3 years
• B. A patient who has never been to the clinic
• C. A patient who only visits annually
• D. A patient who was seen yesterday

Answer: (B)

The statement being tested is how we determine whether a patient is established versus new. An established patient is someone who has received professional services from the same clinician or practice within a recent time frame—typically the past three years. This recent contact with the same provider is what confirms an ongoing relationship.

Seeing a patient yesterday clearly demonstrates that relationship, since there was a prior encounter with you within the required window. That makes them established because the provider and patient have a history of care within the last three years.

In contrast, a patient who has never been to the clinic has no prior encounter, so they are a new patient. The description of someone who visits annually is ambiguous because it doesn’t explicitly confirm a prior encounter within the three-year window. The option about someone seen from day one for up to three years isn’t as definitive about the most recent encounter, which is the key factor in establishing status.