Patient Access Associate Specialist

Ensemble Health Partners • Lima, OH

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Ensemble is a provider of technology-enabled revenue cycle management solutions for health systems. The Patient Access Associate Specialist performs admitting duties for patients receiving hospital services while meeting organizational goals, policies, and regulatory compliance requirements. This is an entry-level, full-time, onsite role at Mercy - St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima, Ohio, scheduled from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., with weekend and holiday rotation required. The stated pay range is $17.00–$18.15, based on experience.

The role involves patient registration and pre-registration, insurance and medical necessity checks, physician order processing, patient communications and instructions, and collection of patient financial responsibilities. The specialist also operates the telephone switchboard, explains and obtains required forms and signatures, documents patient education materials, and supports accurate account processing and clean claims. They provide compassionate customer service and meet assigned point-of-service goals.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED and at least one year of customer service experience. The CRCR certification is required within nine months of hire and is company paid. The posting describes comprehensive benefits, paid certifications, tuition reimbursement, career advancement, and quarterly and annual incentive programs.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of customer service experience.
• High school diploma or GED.
• CRCR certification required within 9 months of hire; the company pays for the certification.
• 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 Mercy - St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima, Ohio.
• Must be able to work the 1 p.m.–1 a.m. schedule and participate in weekend and holiday rotation.
• Must reside and be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Perform admitting duties for patients receiving hospital services in accordance with organizational policies, processes, mission, goals, and regulatory requirements.
• Assign accurate medical record numbers (MRNs), complete medical necessity and compliance checks, provide patient instructions, collect insurance information, receive and process physician orders, and use an overlay tool.
• Provide excellent customer service, including compassionate handling of telephone interactions, as measured by Press Ganey.
• Operate the telephone switchboard to relay incoming, outgoing, and inter-office calls as applicable.
• 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.
• Conduct account audits, ensure forms are completed accurately and on time to meet audit standards, and provide statistical data to Patient Access leadership.
• Pre-register patient accounts, including making inbound and outbound calls to obtain demographic, insurance, and other patient information.
• Discuss patient financial liabilities and collect point-of-service payments and past-due balances, including offering payment plan options.
• Explain general consent-for-treatment forms to patients, guarantors, or legal guardians; obtain required signatures and witness names.
• Explain and distribute patient education documents and required forms, including Medicare and Tricare notices, observation forms, MOON forms, consent forms, and forms implemented for future services.
• Review eligibility responses in the insurance verification system, select the applicable insurance plan code, and enter benefit data to support point-of-service collections and billing processes.
• Screen medical necessity using Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) software, inform Medicare patients of possible non-payment for tests, and distribute ABNs when appropriate.
• Distribute and document other designated forms and pamphlets.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package supporting physical, emotional, and financial health, including healthcare, time off, retirement, and well-being programs.
• Company-paid CRCR certification.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Professional development and a professional certification relevant to the associate's field.
• Quarterly and annual incentive programs.
• Career advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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