Patient Account Specialist I

DRISCOLL HEALTH PLAN•Corpus Christi, TX

About The Position

The Patient Account Specialist I creates patient accounts in the EMR patient accounting system to support patient care departments and the revenue, billing, reporting, and reimbursement cycle. The role covers patient accounting, referral order and record management, scheduling, pre-registration and registration, admission, insurance benefit verification and documentation, payer-required authorizations, cost estimates, consent collection, MyChart access, and documentation of actions and discharge tasks. The specialist promotes service excellence and works with customers and colleagues to support care outcomes and clean claim processing. The position reports to the department manager. It requires maintaining confidentiality, following hospital policies and compliance standards, and meeting customer service and dress code expectations. Rotating shifts may be required, the position may be part of the hospital’s disaster response team, and occasional travel may be required. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
One year of related experience and/or training preferred.
Ability to perform essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Nice To Haves

One year of related experience and/or training.

Responsibilities

Maintain confidentiality and adhere to hospital policies, ethical business practices, corporate compliance and integrity guidelines, and customer service standards.
Answer department calls promptly and greet patients and families courteously; listen to customer needs, take appropriate action, and cooperate with staff across departments and care settings.
Process patient accounts according to established workflows and coordinate with Driscoll Access Center staff on expected ED admissions, direct admissions, and transfers; create CCT or HBRT encounters as indicated.
Process provider orders, search for referral orders, and create referral records when needed.
Create accurate patient records and encounters in patient accounting systems using appropriate search criteria, naming conventions, and interview methods; gather demographic and financial information courteously.
Verify insurance benefits, document findings, and follow applicable timing and EMTALA guidelines for emergency department arrivals and services.
Follow payer authorization and admission-notification workflows; schedule procedures and obtain authorizations for planned services as required by insurers.
Request and follow up on required questionnaires and documents, including H&P, PCP referrals, and CPS consents.
Complete emergency visit arrival events promptly; reschedule appointments on patient request and notify the physician; manage appointment waiting and cancellation lists.
Add concise, relevant notes to patient account encounters and refer cases for financial screening when indicated.
Add clear copies of photo identification and insurance cards, front and back, to the patient’s EMR.
Explain business forms and obtain signatures; issue patient rights and privacy notices as indicated; issue identification cards or wristbands and ensure patients and families are escorted to the appropriate service area.
Contact the Patient Intake Nurse for direct admissions, manage admissions to service areas, and follow service-area discharge workflows.
Manage visitor volume at Welcome desks or in the admitting office as indicated.
Review and manage work queues for potential duplicate referral numbers, HARs, or medical record numbers, missing registration items, and accuracy of demographic and financial data.
At discharge, review notes for payment requirements, explain quoted insurance benefits and billing workflows, provide charge estimates, prepare receipts for payments, verify and update patient contact details, confirm paperwork and copies of insurance and identification cards, and document actions in the patient accounting system.
Maintain petty cash balance, receipt and reconcile payments daily per shift, and follow cash-handling procedures.
Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.
May work rotating shifts, participate in disaster response as assigned, and travel occasionally.