Patient Access Representative Associate

UnitedHealth Group • Minneapolis, MN

3d • $16 - $29 • Onsite

About The Position

As an Optum employee supporting the Allina Health account, the Patient Access Representative Associate is the first point of contact for patients and visitors. The role provides compassionate customer service and supports accurate patient registration, insurance verification, financial counseling, and a seamless patient experience. It includes working with patients on registration and financial processes, maintaining data integrity, and collaborating with a patient-centered team.

The position supports hospital departments, including the Emergency Department, in a fast-paced environment where priorities and patient volumes can change. The employee works independently while coordinating with peers, clinical staff, providers, revenue cycle teams, and other departments. The role also contributes to team performance goals, onboarding and training activities as needed, and compliance with privacy standards and organizational requirements.

The role is located at 800 E 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Its two-week rotating schedule includes weekday shifts from 9:30 AM to 6 PM and weekend shifts from 7 AM to 3:30 PM. The hourly pay range is $16–$29, based on full-time employment. External applicants may be eligible for a $1,500 sign-on bonus; internal candidates are not eligible.

Requirements

• At least 6 months of customer service experience in a retail, office, or healthcare setting.
• Intermediate computer skills and the ability to learn and navigate multiple software systems.
• Ability to work the specified two-week rotating schedule, including weekend shifts.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Strong attendance, reliability, and punctuality.
• Ability to remain composed and professional in high-pressure situations and assist patients experiencing emergencies, emotional distress, behavioral concerns, or other challenging circumstances.
• Ability to work independently with accuracy and accountability.
• Critical thinking, adaptability, and organizational skills.
• Flexibility to respond to changing patient volumes, departmental needs, and operational demands.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and movement throughout the workday.
• Ability to push and maneuver a workstation on wheels through patient care and registration areas.
• Ability to alternate between sitting and standing for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally and up to 5 pounds frequently.
• Must pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Nice To Haves

• Previous Emergency Department, Urgent Care, Patient Access, Registration, Admissions, or Revenue Cycle experience.
• Experience in a high-volume customer service environment requiring rapid prioritization and multitasking.
• Experience with Epic or another electronic medical record system.
• Knowledge of insurance verification, financial counseling, and billing processes.
• Experience managing difficult conversations or de-escalating challenging customer situations.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist patients, families, and visitors professionally and compassionately.
• Verify and document demographic, insurance, and guarantor information in the electronic medical record.
• Obtain required documentation, signatures, and consent forms.
• Assist with scheduling add-on or follow-up appointments as needed.
• Help patients complete forms and requests for information, and route documentation to the appropriate department.
• Provide wayfinding assistance to appointments, clinics, and procedure areas.
• Manage inbound and outbound telephone calls promptly and courteously.
• Collaborate with peers to handle complex registration scenarios, patient concerns, and customer service situations.
• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits.
• Collect copayments, deductibles, and other point-of-service payments.
• Explain insurance benefits, estimated financial responsibility, financial assistance programs, and payment options to patients.
• Screen patients for financial assistance eligibility and assist with applications.
• Escalate complex billing or financial concerns as appropriate.
• Provide technical and functional guidance to team members as appropriate.
• Follow organizational policies, patient privacy standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Work with clinical staff, providers, revenue cycle teams, and other departments to resolve registration issues.
• Contribute to goals for patient satisfaction, registration accuracy, productivity, point-of-service collections, and operational efficiency.
• Assist with onboarding, training, and mentoring as required by business needs.
• Participate in team huddles, meetings, training, coaching, and one-on-one discussions; review relevant communications and complete continuing education requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid time off accruing from the first pay period and 8 paid holidays.
• Medical plan options and participation in a Health Spending Account or Health Savings Account.
• Dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) Savings Plan.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Education reimbursement.
• Employee discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Referral Bonus Program.
• Voluntary benefits, including pet insurance, legal insurance, and long-term care insurance.
• Performance rewards and a $1,500 sign-on bonus for eligible external applicants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed