Specialist Patient Access

Dignity Health Medical Group•Phoenix, AZ

2d•$19 - $27

About The Position

The Specialist Patient Access serves as a first point of contact for patients, helping ensure a seamless and empathetic entry into the healthcare system. The role manages appointments, verifies insurance, registers accurate patient demographics, and provides financial counseling about services. It communicates with patients and clinical teams, resolves access-related issues, follows regulatory and organizational policies, uses patient management systems, maintains data integrity, and contributes to improvements in patient access workflows. The position performs patient registration and scheduling in the EMR, processes inbound and outbound referrals, and completes pre-registration for assigned accounts at least five days before the scheduled service date whenever possible. It verifies insurance eligibility and benefits, copayments, deductibles, and primary and secondary coverage; enters insurance information in IDX; and directs uninsured patients to financial counselors. It also obtains authorizations and pre-certifications, follows up on missing authorizations, informs patients of financial responsibility when authorizations are not secured within 48 hours of service, identifies and discusses outstanding balances, requests payment, sets up payment plans, explains payment and billing assistance programs, and clarifies financial responsibility between the medical group and insurer.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
One year of customer service experience or industry experience in a healthcare setting.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in a health-related field.
Two or more years of relevant experience related to the core functions.

Responsibilities

Perform patient registration and scheduling functions in the EMR and process inbound and outbound referrals.
Complete pre-registration for assigned accounts at least five days before the scheduled date of service whenever possible.
Verify insurance eligibility and benefits, copayments, deductibles, and primary and secondary insurance coverage.
Enter correct primary and secondary insurance information during scheduling in the IDX system and direct uninsured patients to financial counselors.
Obtain accurate patient demographic information during registration and scheduling, including correct spelling, abbreviations, punctuation, and completeness.
Obtain authorization or pre-certification from physician offices or insurance companies for consultations and follow up on missing authorizations.
Contact patients to advise them of financial responsibility when authorization has not been obtained within 48 hours before service.
Identify outstanding balances, notify patients during financial clearance, and request payment.
Set up payment plans for patients unable to pay their full current copayment and/or past balance in one payment.
Explain the payment and billing assistance program to all patients, regardless of financial concerns or limitations.
Clarify the division of financial responsibility between the medical group and insurance company.
Communicate effectively with patients and clinical teams, resolve access-related issues, maintain data integrity, and support improvements to patient access workflows.