Final answer:
A medical assistant would typically refer prescription refill requests to the doctor for assessment and authorization, as they may require medical judgment and the doctor's authorization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Of the choices provided, prescription refill requests would typically be referred to the doctor by the medical assistant. The reason for this is that prescription refills may require the doctor's assessment to determine if the medication is still appropriate, if the dosage needs adjustment, or if there have been any changes in the patient's condition that might affect the use of the medication. Additionally, in many cases, only a licensed physician can authorize prescription refills.
Choices such as appointment requests, billing inquiries, or change of address requests can generally be handled by the medical assistant or administrative staff without needing direct doctor involvement. These tasks are more clerical and do not require the medical judgment that would necessitate the doctor's direct attention.