Patient Representative - Dental Clinic

University of Arkansas System • Little Rock, AR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Representative works in the UAMS CORE PA Oral Health Staff department and is responsible for verifying insurance benefits, processing authorizations and pre-certifications, developing and implementing denial avoidance plans, and working appropriate registration and billing work queues. The representative is expected to demonstrate competency in the job elements of all levels of the Access Coordinator positions.

The role verifies patient insurance eligibility, benefits, and coverage; reviews policy limits and patient cost-sharing; obtains and tracks authorizations and referrals; resolves insurance questions and discrepancies; and communicates potential financial responsibilities to patients. It also involves maintaining accurate insurance documentation in electronic medical record systems, coordinating with operational and clinical departments, helping address escalated concerns, recommending workflow improvements, and complying with HIPAA and organizational policies.

The position is based inside a medical facility. The stated salary is $18.99 per hour. Benefits-eligible perks include medical, dental, and vision plans; holiday, vacation, and sick leave; an education discount for staff and dependents; retirement contributions matched by UAMS up to 10%; basic life insurance up to $50,000; career training and educational opportunities; merchant discounts; and concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using the UAMS pharmacy.

Requirements

• High school graduation, GED, or formal education equivalent plus 4 years of experience in customer service, call center, business office administration, registration, billing, insurance, or scheduling; alternatively, an associate degree plus 2 years of experience in customer service, call center, business office administration, registration, billing, or scheduling.
• Demonstrate competency in the job elements of all levels of the Access Coordinator positions.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in business, healthcare, or a related field.
• Experience working in a healthcare environment.
• Eaglesoft experience.
• Previous dental experience.

Responsibilities

• Verify patient insurance eligibility, benefits, and coverage for scheduled and upcoming healthcare services.
• Review insurance policies for coverage limitations, exclusions, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
• Obtain and validate prior authorizations and referrals for procedures, treatments, and services.
• Contact insurance companies to resolve complex eligibility, benefit, and authorization issues.
• Identify potential coverage problems and communicate financial responsibilities to patients.
• Research and resolve insurance discrepancies to prevent billing delays and claim denials.
• Review coordination of benefits and identify primary and secondary insurance coverage.
• Maintain accurate insurance information and documentation within electronic medical record systems.
• Collaborate with scheduling, registration, billing, coding, and clinical departments to ensure proper patient coverage.
• Monitor authorization status and follow up on pending or outstanding insurance approvals.
• Assist with escalated insurance verification concerns and provide guidance to team members.
• Identify workflow issues and recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations, organizational policies, and insurance guidelines.
• Provide excellent customer service while handling sensitive patient financial and insurance information.
• Process authorizations and pre-certifications, develop and implement denial avoidance plans, and work appropriate registration and billing work queues.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans for qualifying staff and family.
• Holiday, vacation, and sick leave.
• Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only).
• Retirement contribution matched by UAMS up to 10%.
• Basic life insurance up to $50,000.
• Career training and educational opportunities.
• Merchant discounts.
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using the UAMS pharmacy.

What This Job Offers

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