Patient Registration - Business Office Clerk

Surgery Partners Careers•San Antonio, TX

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Business Office employee, under the supervision of the Business Office Director, is responsible for the financial success of the facility in regard to revenue cycle management. The employee should have a full understanding of each of the processes to maximize reimbursement: registration, posting of payments and collections on outstanding balances. It is understood that business office clerks will change tasks from time to time to meet the needs of the business. This role involves projecting a professional demeanor and appearance while maintaining patient confidentiality and adhering to HIPAA policy. The employee must report any suspected violations of laws, rules, regulations, or the SP Code of Conduct, and fulfill annual competency and continuing education requirements. Personal attributes include being self-directed, demonstrating accountability, professionalism, and receptiveness to change, and seeking guidance when needed. The role requires working under stress with patience, stamina, endurance, and tact while providing impeccable service, fostering teamwork, and willingness to assist others. Setting priorities, responding timely to issues, and ensuring desired results are achieved are essential. The employee will willingly accept other assignments as the need arises.

Requirements

Demonstrates eligibility for employment in the U.S.
High School graduate or equivalent
Minimum of one year of experience in business office activities within a healthcare environment
Ability to relate and work effectively with others
Demonstrated verbal and written communications in English for contacting payors, patients, and co-workers
Demonstrated computer skills in utilizing word processing, integrated database, and understanding of mathematical calculations and medical terminology
Ability to use office machines (copiers, faxes, and scanners), and telephone systems
Proficiency using and knowledge of Microsoft Office, computers, patient accounting systems and Microsoft Excel
Ability to type 20 WPM

Nice To Haves

Prior cash handling/collection experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform registration processing for various system patient types including outpatient clinic, outpatient surgery, observation, in-patient, emergency, and direct admissions/transfers.
Inform management of all extraordinary situations involving medical and clinical staff, visitors, patients, or other departments.
Communicate with other hospital departments to facilitate excellent patient care.
Confirm demographic information with the patient during interview and ensure all patient demographic information is entered accurately into the facility EHR database.
Update patient records by direct data input.
Perform bedside registration to complete needed demographic information when required.
Obtain insurance information and enter insurance information into the EHR.
Assign a financial class based on information obtained.
Complete all required information for proper verification.
Screen patients for funding upon preadmission and arrival.
Generate and distribute all necessary forms relating to patient admissions and registration, including but not limited to: Consent for Treatment, Patient Rights and Responsibility, Notice of Physician Ownership, WC Accident/Injury forms (OJI), Medicare Secondary Questionnaire, Advanced Beneficiary Notices (ABN), Medicare Important Message (CMS), Third Party Liability (TPL) forms, Notice of Patient Privacy (NPP), Financial Responsibility/Estimate forms, patient handbook, and other needed medical forms.
Secure necessary signatures and obtain copies of all insurance cards.
Utilize electronic signature platforms for forms to be completed by the patient/guarantor for signature.
Properly identify/generate patient medical record number to reduce potential medical risk and/or duplication.
Obtain patient identification for reference and retention.
Advise patient or patient’s guarantor of charges incurred and the need for payment at the time of arrival and/or dismissal.
Collect indicated amounts from patient or patient’s guarantor and properly batch and post in payment posting system.
Secure deposits and corresponding paperwork as stipulated by department policies.
Document notes on non-payment when encountered.
Give patients detailed instructions and/or directions to other pertinent clinical areas.
Assist with customer service issues and handle intake phone calls.
Escort patients/visitors to clinical areas (using wheelchairs if necessary).
Process admissions by assigning patients to a bed/location provided by inpatient unit.
Interpret physician orders, ensuring proper order status, and that documentation requirements are met and completed.
Maintain scanned copies of all pertinent registration documentation within the EHR.
Consistently use facility-approved translation system for proper patient communication when a translator is required, documenting translation validation appropriately.
Understand how to process patients during system outages “Downtime”.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Demonstrate competence to perform assigned and general customer assistance responsibilities in a manner that meets the age-specific and developmental needs of customers encountered.
Develop and maintain a culture of service in the department, connecting organizational values to actions.
Utilize every opportunity to improve the patient's understanding of financial responsibility.
Ensure the department provides a high level of Patient Satisfaction through interactions, discussions, and recognition of team members.
Ensure a high level of Physician Satisfaction with responsible departments, model interactions with physicians to managers and staff, and participate in development and implementation of action plans as needed for improvement.
Effectively access SP Service area resources and implement recommendations.
Ensure that business office systems are in place to maintain compliance with State, Federal, and accreditation standards.
Comply with departmental policies and procedures to meet regulatory and community standards.
Ensure accurate and complete registration processing and work to maintain departmental quality goals.
Collection of deductible, co-pays, co-insurance and other amounts as indicated on estimated insurance benefits worksheet.
Maintain workflow of registration processing and communicate issues to management when required action is needed.
Provide prompt and professional phone courtesy while answering phone calls.
Perform prompt and accurate payment posting when performing daily collections, paying close attention to detail to eliminate errors.
Comply with month-end tasks in patient accounting software as required.
Manage collection activities to maximize revenue to assure budgeted EBITDA results are achieved.
Ensure registration processing accuracy meets department goals to promote timely and accurate billing.
Perform account management according to SP benchmarks and guidelines.
Actively participate in achieving monthly collection goals.
Communicate with patients as necessary to discuss financial responsibility.
Participate in reducing cost of office supply usage, resulting in cost-effective operations of areas of responsibility.
Participate in fiscal management initiatives for the facility as directed by leadership in accordance with SP benchmarks.
Ensure effectiveness of internal controls through following all general accountability principles.
Justify and obtain approval for overtime in advance.
Manage work process to maintain high quality standards on increasing case volume.
Utilize all available automation tools.
Introduce new or improved tools when applicable.
Provide excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
Accept change as an opportunity for growth, learning and development.
Adapt to changing procedures and goals in a cooperative and positive manner.
Participate in goal-setting and educational activities for own growth and advancements.