Specialist Patient Access

CommonSpirit Health•Phoenix, AZ

11h

About The Position

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

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
One year of customer service experience or industry experience in a healthcare setting.
Exceptional customer service skills and strong attention to detail for accurate data entry and financial verification.
Excellent communication skills for clear interactions with patients and teams.
Commitment to patient advocacy, data accuracy, and optimizing the patient journey.

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.
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.
Enter correct primary and secondary insurance information during scheduling in the IDX system.
Direct non-insured patients to financial counselors.
Obtain accurate patient demographic information during registration and scheduling.
Obtain authorizations and pre-certifications from physician offices or insurance companies for consultations.
Follow up on missing authorizations and contact patients about financial responsibility if authorization is not 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 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 an insurance company.
Communicate with patients and clinical teams, resolve access-related issues, and support patient access workflow improvements.