Patient Access Rep I

American Addiction Centers • Park Ridge, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for creating the initial electronic health record, which serves as the foundation for the patient medical record used by the entire healthcare team. It is crucial for preventing duplicate medical records that could lead to safety and billing issues. The position ensures patient safety by positively identifying patients before care delivery, in compliance with organizational mandates. Responsibilities include checking in and registering patients, verifying demographic and insurance information, and collecting co-pays and other patient out-of-pocket expenses. Accurate registration is key to timely payment and preventing billing problems. The role also involves maintaining patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, understanding insurance basics, and knowing which plans Advocate Health contracts with. Financial information and obligations are discussed with patients, with referrals to Financial Advocates as needed. Compliance with government regulations such as HIPAA, EMTALA, Consent for Treatment, Patient Rights and Responsibilities, Important Message from Medicare (IMM), Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON), Notice of Privacy Practices, Medicare Secondary Payer Questionnaire (MSPQ), and Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) is essential. The role may involve scheduling appointments, coordinating cancellations, reschedules, and waitlist requests. Providing detailed information about test preparations, arrival times, medication guidelines, check-in procedures, and directions is also part of the job. Creating a welcoming environment through extraordinary customer service, greeting patients and visitors, and responding to routine requests are key. The role includes answering telephones, screening calls, and taking messages. Assistance with transportation, directions, wheelchairs, and interpreter services may be offered. Monitoring and working assigned electronic health record work queues according to department processes is also required.

Requirements

• High School Graduate.
• Demonstrate the Advocate Health purpose, values and behaviors.
• Ability to work in a high profile and high stress area, working independently to set and meet deadlines, multitask and prioritize work.
• Must be able to handle large workloads with many interruptions in a fast-paced environment without direct supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent customer service skills in a variety of situations.
• Must have excellent service recovery skills.
• Demonstrated independent thinking and problem-solving skills, ability to exercise judgment to triage issues and concerns.
• Excellent communication (written & verbal), customer service and interpersonal skills, ability to effectively communicate with a variety of patients, visitors, staff and physicians in a pleasant professional demeanor.
• Educate patients on the insurance coverage aspect of their care including managing the discussion for services that will not or may not be paid by their health plan.
• Interact with physicians and their staff to resolve issues related to patient care.
• Collect and manage payments including cash payments and follow security related to cash handling.
• Strong understanding and comfort level with computer systems.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency including experience with insurance verification/eligibility tools, EPIC electronic medical record, patient liability estimation tools, electronic email, Microsoft Office, internet browser and phone technology.
• Understanding of basic medical and insurance terms and abbreviations typically used in the patient scheduling and registration process.
• HIPAA-compliant and knowledgeable of applicable state and federal rules/regulations.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information according to internal policies.
• General understanding of health insurance: Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, and commercial payers.
• Knowledge and ability to articulate explanations of Medicare/HIPAA/EMTALA rules and regulations and comply with updates on insurance pre-certification requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively act as a resource to other staff.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with insurance verification/eligibility tools, EPIC electronic medical record, patient liability estimation tools, electronic email, Microsoft Office, Internet and phone technology.

Responsibilities

• Creates the initial electronic health record that serves as the foundation of the patient medical record that is utilized by all members of the healthcare team.
• Prevents creation of duplicate medical records that can cause treatment safety issues and billing problems.
• Follows and ensures compliance with the mandate of the organization’s accrediting bodies to use identifiers to positively identify a patient prior to the delivery of patient care to ensure patient safety.
• Checks in and registers patients; obtains and verifies complete demographic, guarantor, and insurance information; discusses and collects co-pays and other out-of-pocket patient responsibilities.
• Maintains complete confidentiality regarding patient personal/financial information and medical records in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Knows insurance basics and recognizes commercial and government plans.
• Understands which plans Advocate Health contracts with and when a statement of financial responsibility is needed.
• Understands and discusses financial information and obligations with patients.
• Knows how and when to refer patients to Financial Advocates.
• Has knowledge of which rules, forms and questions must be enforced to make sure Advocate Health remains compliant with government agencies and regulations.
• Obtains patient or guarantor signatures as required.
• May schedule patient appointments: may also coordinate cancellations, reschedules, wait list requests, and recall requests.
• Provides accurate, detailed information regarding test preparations, patient arrival time, medication/food/beverage consumption guidelines, check-in procedures, directions to facility, etc.
• Creates a welcoming and professional environment for our patients and visitors by demonstrating extraordinary customer service.
• Greets patients and visitors and responds to routine requests for information.
• Answers telephone, screens calls, and takes messages.
• Offers various assistance to patients to include arranging transportation needs, providing directions, locating a wheelchair, coordinating interpreter services, etc.
• Monitors and works assigned electronic health record work queues, following the department’s approved process.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off programs
• medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

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