Patient Access Associate Specialist

Ensemble Health Partners • Kingsport, TN

19d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Access Associate Specialist manages patient registration and access processes in a healthcare facility, helping provide a seamless patient experience while supporting data integrity, regulatory compliance, and revenue cycle performance. The role is an onsite, entry-level opportunity at Ballad - Indian Path Community Hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee. It influences measures such as registration accuracy, point-of-service collections, and first-pass claim rates, and serves as a first point of contact for patients while supporting clinical and financial operations.

The position includes registering and preregistering patients, verifying insurance and medical necessity, collecting patient financial information and payments, handling physician orders and forms, and communicating with patients and colleagues. It also involves account auditing and reporting, telephone switchboard operation, and providing patient instructions and customer service. CRCR certification is required within six months of hire and is company paid.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of customer service experience.
• High school diploma or GED.
• CRCR certification required within 6 months of hire; company paid.
• Must be inquisitive and open to innovation, including AI, to explore improved processes and reduce friction in patient and client experiences.
• Must be able to work onsite at Ballad - Indian Path Community Hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee.
• Must reside and be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Assign accurate medical record numbers (MRNs) and complete medical necessity and compliance checks.
• Provide appropriate patient instructions, collect insurance information, receive and process physician orders, and use an overlay tool while delivering customer service measured by Press Ganey.
• Operate the telephone switchboard to relay incoming, outgoing, and inter-office calls, following policies and providing compassionate customer service.
• Meet assigned point-of-service goals.
• Use quality auditing and reporting systems to identify and correct accounts, including accounts associated with other employees, departments, and facilities.
• Audit accounts, ensure forms are completed accurately and on time, and provide statistical data to Patient Access leadership.
• Preregister patient accounts before visits, including inbound and outbound calls to collect demographic, insurance, and other patient information.
• Explain patient financial liabilities and collect point-of-service payments and past-due balances, including discussing payment plan options.
• Explain general consent-for-treatment forms, obtain required signatures and witness names, and distribute patient education documents and designated forms and pamphlets.
• Review insurance eligibility responses, select the applicable insurance plan code, and enter benefit information to support collections and billing.
• Screen medical necessity using Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) software, inform Medicare patients of potential non-payment for tests, and distribute ABNs as appropriate.
• Document the distribution of designated forms and pamphlets.

Benefits

• Bonus incentives and quarterly and annual incentive programs.
• Paid certifications, including the required CRCR certification.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare, time off, retirement, and well-being programs.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED