Patient Access Specialist, FT, Days

Prisma Health • Richland, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Access Specialist receives and interviews patients to collect and verify demographic, financial, employment, and insurance information. The role verifies insurance coverage and benefits, initiates pre-certification or pre-authorization when required, collects payments or arranges payment, and completes related patient registration and business office functions. The specialist is expected to perform assigned duties courteously and professionally and comply with Prisma Health’s values and HIPAA guidelines.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with no weekend requirements. It is a non-management role reporting to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive, and is based at Richland Hospital in the Patient Registration department.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent, or post-high-school diploma/highest degree earned.
• Two years of experience in admissions, billing, collections, insurance, and/or customer service.
• Basic computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and data entry.
• Knowledge of office equipment such as fax machines and copiers.
• Mathematical skills.

Nice To Haves

• Registration and scheduling experience.
• Familiarity with medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients or other appropriate sources, in accordance with HIPAA guidelines, to obtain financial, demographic, and employment information; enter accurate data, check that the latest insurance card is on file in Sovera, scan documents, and follow up on missing information.
• Verify insurance coverage and benefits through online eligibility tools or telephone inquiries; document verification, assign the appropriate insurance plan, ensure correct insurance priorities, and initiate required pre-certification or obtain signed waivers when needed.
• Obtain required signatures and information on forms and documents, including consent forms, liability assignments, and waiver letters.
• Receive payments, issue receipts, work toward collection goals, maintain cash funds and verification logs, and make daily deposits according to departmental policies and procedures.
• Prepare and distribute required reports, documents, and patient identification items, such as privacy notices, patient-rights materials, Medicare booklets, schedules, productivity logs, monthly collection reports, patient armbands, and patient valuables.
• Explain patients’ estimated financial responsibility and request payment before or at the time of service; refer patients who need extended payment terms or financial assistance to the appropriate programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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