Specialist I

South Central Regional Medical Center•Laurel, MS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Job Overview: The Patient Access Specialist is responsible for ensuring a smooth and efficient patient access experience by managing the preregistration and registration processes for outpatient appointments. This role involves verifying insurance information, gathering necessary demographic details, handling precertification and/or preauthorization processes, collecting patient paperwork, and ensuring all data is accurately documented and entered into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. The Patient Access Specialist will play a key role in delivering excellent customer service and facilitating the efficient operation of outpatient services.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
30+ WPM
Previous experience in patient access, healthcare registration, insurance verification, or medical office administration preferred.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and documentation.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a customer-focused approach.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting and independently when necessary.

Responsibilities

PreRegistration/Registration:
Verify identity of all patients
Register/PreRegister patients for outpatient appointments, confirming all demographic information, insurance details, and patient paperwork is signed and properly documented.
Verify/Update insurance eligibility and coverage, confirming necessary authorizations or precertifications for procedures or visits.
Confirm required medical orders are valid and ensure the patient’s appointment is scheduled with all necessary documentation in place when necessary.
Provide patients with cost estimates for services and obtain necessary consents for treatment.
Accurately scan all relevant patient documentation (insurance cards, consent forms, medical orders, etc.) into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
Assist with special projects or tasks as assigned by management.
Patient Interaction & Other Collaboration/Communication:
Provide excellent customer service to patients, answering questions related to their insurance, estimates, appointment details, and required documentation.
Explain the preregistration and/or registration process to patients to ensure clarity and minimize confusion.
Assist patients in navigating the paperwork required for their visits, ensuring that all forms are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
Maintain and update the active patient list, ensuring that all information is accurate and up-to-date when necessary.
Enroll and track eligible patients in copay assistance programs to help cover out-of-pocket costs for their treatments or medications when necessary/required.
Collaborate with clinical and administrative staff
Compliance & Quality Assurance:
Follow department policies and procedures to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and insurance requirements.
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA guidelines when handling patient information.
Continuously review and update patient information as necessary to maintain accurate records.
Stay current on changes in insurance policies, patient access protocols, and healthcare regulations.