Healthcare Access Navigator
About The Position
The Healthcare Access Navigator coordinates follow-up care and services for patients discharged from emergency departments and other hospital-based care areas. The role schedules primary care appointments within established timeframes, helps patients without a PCP obtain one, and coordinates consultations, procedures, testing, surgeries, and other services ordered by treating providers. The position works with patients, families, physicians, interdisciplinary teams, and community resources to support timely, well-coordinated care and retain patients in the Cooper Health System when possible. The navigator verifies insurance and demographic information, collects and receipts payments, explains billing policies and managed-care referral or preauthorization requirements, and helps patients obtain needed referrals. The role tracks and reports scheduled services, schedules community services when appropriate, and may float to other ED Registration work areas to assist with access to Cooper services. Coverage includes discharged patients on inpatient units, CDU, urgent care centers, Cooper Camden ED, Salem ED, and other hospital-based care areas deemed in scope.
Requirements
- 0–2 years of experience required.
- High school diploma required.
- Excellent customer service, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Working knowledge of registration processes, electronic appointment scheduling, insurance plans, referral and preauthorization processes, third-party payor reimbursement, revenue cycle, and EMTALA, JCAHO, and HIPAA regulations.
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and work any shift as needed.
Nice To Haves
- Some college.
- At least two years of recent registration, scheduling, or billing experience in a medical facility.
- Proficiency in patient registration, scheduling, medical insurance pre-certifications, authorizations, and referrals.
- Epic experience.
Responsibilities
- Schedule PCP appointments for patients within seven days or applicable discharge guidelines; help patients without a PCP obtain one and schedule an appropriate appointment.
- Coordinate follow-up appointments for patients discharged from the 24/7 Emergency Department.
- Coordinate care plans with primary care and specialty physicians for consultations, procedures, testing, surgeries, and other services ordered by the treating ED provider.
- Verify insurance coverage and demographic information.
- Collect and receipt patient payments.
- Retain patients in the Cooper Health System when possible by scheduling through the Centricity Business system, Central Scheduling, or physicians’ offices.
- Schedule appointments with community services when appropriate.
- Collaborate and communicate with multidisciplinary teams on behalf of patients.
- Inform patients about billing policies and managed-care referral and preauthorization requirements.
- Assist patients and families in obtaining PCP referrals to specialists when needed.
- Provide support and counseling to patients and families as appropriate.
- Communicate with referring providers to address patient and physician needs.
- Partner with patients, families, the interdisciplinary team, and community resources to provide well-coordinated, timely care.
- Serve as a resource for community resources.
- Track and report weekly on scheduled services.
- Float to other ED Registration work areas as needed to assist patients in accessing Cooper services.
- Cover discharged patients on inpatient units, CDU, urgent care centers, Cooper Camden ED, Salem ED, and other hospital-based care areas deemed in scope.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
