Patient Access Services Financial Specialist

Banner Health•Tucson, AZ

8d•Onsite

About The Position

At Banner Health, you’re not just taking a job—you’re joining our mission of “Healthcare made easier, so life can be better.” As a Patient Access Services Representative in Tucson, AZ, you will be the vital first point of contact for patients entering our care. Whether it’s a warm greeting at the front desk or expertly navigating insurance details, your impact will be felt from the very first moment. Tucson is more than just a city—it’s a vibrant tapestry of culture, nature, and history. With over 350 days of sunshine a year, a thriving arts scene, world-renowned cuisine, and easy access to some of the most stunning desert landscapes in the Southwest, Tucson offers a unique blend of urban charm and outdoor adventure. This position is responsible for providing personalized coordination, clarification and communication of all financial aspects of care continuum, including insurance and authorization verification, registration, financial counseling and claims research for Oncology. This position partners with the clinical care team to determine financial impact for the patient and serves as the primary contact for any financial questions related to a patient’s care across the entire continuum of their treatment, ensuring a seamless experience for the patient and their family.

Requirements

Associate's Degree with a focus in social work, healthcare administration or finance, along with 3 years of experience in a hospital registration/financial services setting is required!
Requires knowledge of medical terminology and an understanding of all common insurance and payor types, authorization requirements and alternative financial resources as typically obtained through a minimum of three years of diversified experience in a hospital Patient Registration/Financial Services setting.
Must have highly developed interpersonal, communications and human relations skills.
Must also possess accurate and efficient keyboarding skills, strong organizational and time management skills and flexibility in responding to multiple demands.
Employees working at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, BTMC Behavioral, and BUMG, BUMCT, or BUMCS in a Behavioral Health clinical setting that serves children must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment. An Arizona Criminal History Affidavit must be signed upon hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in social work, healthcare administration or finance preferred.
Prior experience as a social worker or financial counselor preferred.
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Greet patients, ensure patient safety using positive identification protocols, verify insurance, and process registration quickly and compassionately.
Collect patient financial liability and assist with financial counseling where needed.
Ensure all documentation is accurate, secure, and compliant.
Collaborate with clinical teams to optimize patient flow and satisfaction.
Use multi-system technology to streamline patient offerings, intake and record-keeping.
Performs pre-registration/registration processes. Partners with the clinical care team to determine initial authorizations needed based on the predicted care treatment plan. Obtains patient insurance benefit information for all aspects of the treatment, including, but not limited to, inpatient and outpatient services, prescription drugs, and travel and housing, if necessary. Assesses need for alternative coverage sources.
Verifies insurance coverage and obtains authorizations and notifications throughout the patient’s treatment. Obtains all necessary signatures and documentation required by the patient’s insurance plan. Accurately and completely documents all information into the patient records system to ensure maximum reimbursement. Monitors and updates information regarding insurance data, authorizations, preferred providers and changes in patient’s treatment plan. Partners with the clinical care team and insurance provider to ensure continued coverage of patient’s care and maximum reimbursement and minimized financial impact to the patient.
Provides financial counseling to patients and their families and serves as the primary resource throughout the patient’s treatment. Discusses benefits and other financial issues with patients and/or family members during initial referral and during continuation of care. Advises patients on insurance and billing issues and options. Explains company financial policies and provides information as to available resources and avenues for alternative payment arrangements. Assists patients, families and team members in addressing insurance coverage gaps via alternative funding options.
Provides financial advocacy, assistance and support to patients and families, as needed. Assists patients who are un-insured to access other funding resources and completes required documents. Maintains current working knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid and other program benefits and criteria, particularly as they pertain to long-term care and low-income patients. May serve as a liaison between the facility and community in making community resources available to the patient and family.
Acts as a liaison between patient/PFS department/payer to enhance account receivables performance, resolve outstanding issues and/or patient concerns, and to maximize service excellence.
Calculates patient liability according to verification of insurance benefits, collects deposits and co-payments.
May provide leadership and training to other members of the financial team and serves as a resource for internal and external customers.
Works independently under general supervision, leads and follows structured work routines. Works in a fast paced, multi task environment with high volume and immediacy needs requiring independent decision making and sound judgment to prioritize work and ensure appropriateness and timeliness of each patient’s care. This position requires the ability to retain large amounts of changing payor information/knowledge crucial to attaining reimbursement for the services provided. This position is an integral part of the care team, as they serve as the primary contact for all financial aspects of the patient’s care, both for internal and external customers. Internal customers include all levels of the clinical care team, as well as other administrative support positions throughout the facility and organization. External customers include patients and their families, physician office staff and third-party payors.