How should a medical assistant handle incoming mail?

A medical assistant should first sort incoming mail by priority, separating patient correspondence, lab results, and administrative documents. Important items, such as patient information or urgent communications, should be flagged for immediate attention. After sorting, the assistant should deliver relevant mail to the appropriate healthcare provider or department while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA regulations. Finally, any non-essential mail can be filed or discarded as per office policy.