Patient Access Associate FT Eves

Care New England Health System•Providence, RI

11d

About The Position

The Patient Access Associate provides efficient access to patients and providers seeking treatment within the Care New England System and completes registration for patients arriving at Patient Assessment Services or Partial Hospital. The role gathers and verifies patient demographic and insurance information, determines mental health treatment benefits, documents benefit details and authorization information in Avatar, and prepares registration records for billing. It also supports admission and registration workflows through Teletracking, patient documentation and identification procedures, financial-form completion, and referrals to Financial Counselors. The associate works with patients, families, clinical staff, Financial Counselors, and collaborating departments while maintaining accurate records, attending required meetings and training, and following hospital and departmental policies. The position is full-time evenings, scheduled 3:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m., with every other weekend. Patient Access Associate Level I staff credentialed as a Navigator may be expected to cover Financial Counselor Level II duties when needed; Financial Counselor Level II staff may likewise cover Patient Access Associate Level I duties.

Requirements

High school diploma and at least two years of job-related experience, or equivalent.
Certificate in Medical Terminology.
Strong oral communication skills.
Exceptional patient relations and customer service skills.
Minimum typing speed of 40 words per minute.
Working knowledge of personal computers and ability to use multiple applications in an environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a medical office or customer service is preferred.

Responsibilities

Obtain patient demographic information and complete registration upon arrival.
Verify insurance eligibility using online resources or phone calls and enter insurance bundles in Avatar.
Determine and document inpatient and outpatient mental health benefits, including deductibles, amounts owed and met, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket information, Medicare days, and insurance ERO information.
Determine whether authorization is required for mental health services and provide authorization information to Social Work; review authorization requirements for inpatient admissions and inform clinical staff when authorization is needed.
Review registrations for accuracy, enter benefits, and prepare files for Business Office billing.
Update Teletracking with anticipated insurance impacts and possible admissions.
Complete the MSPQ with the patient or family member for Medicare patients.
Scan patient insurance cards and identification, front and back, and file them appropriately when applicable; confirm information and benefits are scanned under the correct episode.
Photograph patients, create paperwork labels, and print patient bracelets when applicable.
Obtain patient signatures on appropriate financial forms so the hospital can bill appropriately.
Advise or refer patients to Financial Counselors regarding financial responsibilities, copays, payment plans, financial assistance applications, and collection of copays or deductibles.
When credentialed as a Navigator, cover Financial Counselor Level II duties as needed; Financial Counselor Level II staff may cover Patient Access Associate Level I duties as needed.
Use desktop computer applications and office equipment, including AVATAR, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Digital Camera link, Teletracking, Epic, PatientTrak, phone systems, digital cameras, PCs, copiers, fax machines, cordless headsets, and Cyracom Language Line.
Answer department telephone calls and relay messages.
Maintain positive relationships with collaborating departments and convey shared responsibility.
Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings, assigned department planning meetings, and the annual Employee Fair.
Maintain required competencies through hospital and department training and Net Learning.
Participate responsibly in supervision and communicate concerns constructively and promptly to department administrators.
Observe hospital and departmental policies, guiding principles, rules, and regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned.