Patient Access Representative (Lab and Imaging)

Renown Health•Reno, NV

About The Position

The Patient Access Representative performs registration, scheduling, order entry, and reception functions and may float among admitting sites within the health system. The role facilitates healthcare access by collecting and accurately entering demographic, sponsorship or guardian, insurance, clinical, financial, and statistical information from patients, families, physicians, office staff, and other sources. The representative supports reimbursement by verifying insurance eligibility and benefits, obtaining required authorization or notification, entering charges accurately, estimating service costs, and identifying and collecting patient financial obligations. The position also aims to make the admission process comfortable and pleasant for patients and families. The representative communicates professionally and diplomatically with patients of all ages, their families, physicians, office staff, and other healthcare providers, including during stressful situations. The role follows established guidelines, regulations, policies, and procedures to support accurate registration and reduce accounts receivable; documents information promptly and according to department requirements; and refers patients to appropriate public assistance agencies when warranted. The position may resolve problems within established company guidelines and refers specified matters, such as scheduling or workplace concerns, to a supervisor. This position does not provide patient care.

Requirements

Working-level knowledge of English, including reading, writing, and speaking.
At least six months of admitting, medical claims processing, professional office, and/or customer service experience involving financial interaction.
Working knowledge of healthcare insurance, including accurately documenting subscriber information, determining payer order sequence, and obtaining required payer notification.
Knowledge of governmental program billing requirements.
Ability to identify patient financial obligations and follow point-of-service collection procedures.
Order-entry skills.
Above-average computer application skills.
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
Scheduling skills suited to a fast-paced environment with frequent interaction with physicians and physician office staff.
Ability to communicate diplomatically in stressful situations, anticipate customer needs, handle unexpected circumstances, prioritize, and adjust performance style as needed.
Ability to adapt to different admitting locations and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to deal with the sight of various injuries and procedures and the stress associated with the environment.
Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computer skills needed to complete online learning, access online forms and policies, and complete online benefits enrollment.
Must maintain the security and confidentiality of patient information.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
One year of relevant experience preferred.
Experience with Windows operating systems, SMS InVision, the Internet, and SMS IMS Document Imaging.

Responsibilities

Perform registration, scheduling, order entry, and reception functions, including floating to different admitting locations as needed.
Collect and accurately enter demographic, clinical, financial, insurance, sponsorship or guardian, and statistical information.
Explain admission, clinical, and financial forms and obtain signatures.
Collect accident information and identify insurance payer sources and payer order sequence.
Verify insurance eligibility and benefits and obtain required insurance notifications or authorizations within the required timeframe.
Process charge order entry and determine estimated costs for services.
Identify and collect patient financial obligations, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, in accordance with standard procedures.
Document collected information promptly and according to department requirements.
Explore patients’ financial needs and refer them to appropriate federal, state, or county assistance agencies when appropriate.
Assist with departmental tasks and resolve problems within established company guidelines, referring specified matters to a supervisor.
Maintain the security and confidentiality of patient information in compliance with applicable standards, including HIPAA and The Joint Commission requirements.
Communicate professionally and diplomatically with patients, families, physicians, office staff, and other healthcare providers.