A patient arrives for a scheduled appointment and presents an insurance card that includes a specified $20 co-pay for specialist visits. However, the patient states that they have met their annual out-of-pocket maximum and should not be charged. What is the appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?
Refuse service unless the co-pay is paid upfront regardless of the patient's out-of-pocket expenses for the year.
Do not charge the co-pay and allow the patient to see the specialist, taking the patient's word at face value.
Verify the patient's insurance benefits to determine if the co-pay is required.
Insist the patient pays the co-pay as indicated on the insurance card, disregarding the patient's claim.