Medical Assistant / Surgical Scheduler - General Surgery

Stamford Health•Stamford, CT

4d•$22 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Assistant/Surgical Scheduler supports care delivery in an ambulatory setting under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, APP, or physician. The role combines patient-care, clinical and clerical duties with scheduling and insurance authorization work for surgical, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures. Responsibilities include accurate patient registration, insurance verification and updates, obtaining precertification and authorization from third-party payers, and communicating results to patients, physicians, and staff. The position requires working knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans, authorization processes, and medical terminology, along with strong verbal and written communication, customer service, and organizational skills. The listed schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at MOB, 29 Hospital Plaza, Suite 603, Stamford. Flexibility to cover the Darien office may be required in the future.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certification or diploma from an accredited Medical Assistant school/program, or a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or Biology with National Medical Assistant Certification.
Heart Saver Certification.
Working knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans, authorization processes, and medical terminology.
Strong verbal and written communication, customer service, and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

National Certification preferred.
Two years of job experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care in an outpatient physician practice under the direction of the practicing physician or physician assistant.
Assist with clinical and clerical duties to support an optimal patient experience.
Prepare patients for healthcare visits, including directing or accompanying them to examination rooms, providing gowns and drapes, positioning them, and arranging instruments, supplies, and equipment.
Verify patient information by interviewing patients, reviewing or recording medical histories, taking vital signs, and confirming the purpose of visits or treatments.
Perform timely insurance verification and eligibility processes using practice-management systems, electronic eligibility tools, reports, payer websites, and payer customer-service contacts.
Obtain and accurately enter insurance, demographic, and eligibility information in accordance with practice policies; contact patients to obtain missing information or corrections.
Contact insurance companies to initiate and complete precertification and authorization for procedures, surgeries, and diagnostic testing.
Coordinate required documentation for authorization, including medical records, CPT and ICD-10 coding, and letters of medical necessity.
Track and follow up on open authorization requests, provide additional information to carriers, and coordinate payer peer-review requests with ordering physicians.
Notify physicians, practice staff, and/or patients when services are not approved; coordinate appeals according to physician direction and established protocols.
Maintain records of authorization activities, including contact methods, follow-up dates, contact information, reference numbers, and supporting documentation.
Document authorization approvals and denials in the electronic medical record and scan relevant documents into patient charts.
Maintain working knowledge of procedures ordered and performed by the practice, as well as CPT and diagnosis coding.
Research payer authorization requirements and processes, maintain reference guides, and communicate changes in authorization processes, insurance policies, and billing requirements to practice staff.
Maintain open communication with staff, physicians, and others.
Assist the Revenue Cycle Department with researching and resolving claims denied for authorization or precertification.
Identify patients without third-party financial benefits and refer them for financial counseling under applicable policies.