Patient Accts Rep Amb ED
About The Position
Under general supervision and in accordance with established credit policies and procedures, interviews and registers patients receiving Emergency/Trauma Center or ambulatory services. Obtains demographic, third-party insurance, and financial information and enters it into the online computer system. Completes third-party documentation, discusses existing hospital balances, makes preliminary welfare eligibility determinations, requests deposits or co-payments when applicable, arranges payment terms, and determines eligibility for free service when necessary. Contacts a Patients Accounts Advocate when applicable. Brown University Health employees are expected to model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and demonstrate the core Success Factors: Instill Trust and Value Differences; Patient and Community Focus; and Collaborate. The role includes registering patients for the Emergency Department, PAC Operating Room, clinics, and ancillary areas; handling insurance verification and authorization; collecting and posting payments; preparing bank deposits; and completing required financial and claims documentation. The position has no supervisory responsibility.
Requirements
- High school completion with additional math and computer courses, or equivalent knowledge.
- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills to obtain patient information and deal effectively with the public.
- Persuasive collection techniques and the ability to tactfully establish payment terms and collect money.
- Full knowledge of third-party health insurance claims processing, coverage, and documentation requirements.
- Math skills and the ability to operate an online computer terminal.
- Knowledge of Accounting Department patient billing systems.
- Six to twelve months of previous clerical support experience.
- Previous experience with an online data-entry access system.
- No driving required.
Nice To Haves
- Clerical support experience in a setting demonstrating the ability to function effectively in high-volume clinics.
Responsibilities
- Complete Hill-Burton applications when patients lack evidence of adequate health insurance coverage, according to established criteria for uncompensated hospital services.
- Obtain the patient's signature on a statement of financial responsibility.
- Assist patients in applying for welfare coverage when they have no coverage or cannot pay.
- Determine eligibility for Rhode Island Hospital free service for clinic visits using the established sliding scale and guidelines.
- Advise the Senior Patient Advocate about patients lacking health insurance coverage or sufficient income to reimburse the hospital.
- Complete documentation to initiate commercial insurance, Workers’ Compensation, and/or CHAMPUS claims.
- Verify third-party insurance plan numbers and benefit levels, and document information in PMAS accounting notes.
- Contact insurance carriers when necessary to obtain treatment authorization and co-payment information.
- Obtain treatment authorization from health maintenance organizations and verify coverage as needed.
- Discuss existing hospital account balances and arrange payment schedules.
- Request evidence of coverage or payment ranging from partial to full cost for clinic visits or treatment series, and obtain financial information needed to arrange payments when patients cannot pay in full.
- Complete lien forms and note them in the PMAS accounting file when a liability claim exists.
- Collect cash or credit card payments for outpatient, Emergency, and Trauma services when possible.
- Post payments to the appropriate general ledger account.
- Prepare bank deposits for cashier pickup twice daily.
- Determine priority of health insurance coverage.
- Register patients online by entering data into the computer system and emboss identification cards to initiate or update hospital records.
- Register patients for PAC Operating Room, clinics, and ancillary areas; take PAC Operating Room bookings and initiate charge vouchers for outpatient procedures.
- Notify the appropriate security agency of Emergency Department treatments resulting from assaults, gunshot wounds, animal bites, accidents, and similar incidents, as required by Rhode Island State Department of Health regulations.
- Follow up on third-party documentation from private physician offices and other hospital off-hour ancillary areas.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
