About the position
The Patient Access Specialist I is an entry level position and is responsible for the accurate and efficient admitting, registering, bed placement, and financial analysis activities for all patients upon arrival to the healthcare system, including initiation of activities necessary to comply with managed care contracts and CMS regulations. Position is responsible for responding in a professional and courteous manner to all patient information inquiries, greeting and initiating the registration process upon patient's arrival. Position is responsible for the review of past account balances, notifying patient of their financial responsibility, and collection of these balances. This includes supporting their department in meeting the pre-collections goals defined by revenue cycle management. Review accounts with inadequate financial coverage for the purpose of coordinating with financial counseling services and facilitating an application for State Agency or Charity. In addition, Patient Access Specialist I must have comprehensive understanding of the healthcare system patient access policy and procedures as well as enforce established requirements and processes. The Patient Access Specialist I demonstrates empathy and professionalism as reflected by courteous actions, maintenance of confidentiality and appropriate presentation of self; consistently exhibits excellent oral and written communication skills; possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide interactive communications appropriate to the age of the patient being served; interact appropriately with third party payers and other departments; and have the ability to relate well to people of a broad socio-economic mix. Strong organizational skills, ability to multitask, work in a fast pace environment and a commitment to teamwork are essential. Must have ability to work closely in a clinical setting involving some stressful situations, personal flexibility; moderate sitting, standing, stooping, bending and moderate work at portable computers required. Position must demonstrate excellent computer skills.
Responsibilities
- Register and activate scheduled patients by gathering all demographic, financial, and pertinent information necessary to meet all regulatory and billing requirements.
- Register and activate walk-in, add-on, and emergency room patients by gathering all patient demographic financial and pertinent information necessary to meet all regulatory and billing requirements.
- Verify insurance eligibility and benefits for scheduled outpatient and inpatient patients.
- Validate pre-certification.
- Compute patient liability at point of registration.
- Communicate and collect patient financial liabilities.
- Review prior bad debts and request payment of outstanding prior bad debt.
- Alert Financial Advocates of accounts with financial clearance issues.
- Document patient liability and financial clearance status to ensure timely processing at the point of service.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Demonstrated ability to read, write, arithmetic, multiplication/division including fractions and decimals.
- Strong computer skills, excellent customer service skills, interpersonal communication and telephone etiquette.
- Demonstrate ability to multitask and manage high volumes.
Nice-to-haves
- Graduate of Medical Secretary Program.
- Knowledge of basic registration and third party payer.
- Preference for work experience in a physician front office or insurance/healthcare call center.
- Medical terminology, and basic knowledge base of CPT and ICD-9 codes, insurance coding and billing knowledge.
- Certified Healthcare Access Associate from NAHAM.
