Surgical Assistant Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certification or diploma from an accredited Medical Assistant school/program, or a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or Biology with National Medical Assistant Certification.
• Heart Saver Certification.
• Working knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans, authorization processes, and medical terminology.
• Strong verbal and written communication, customer service, and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

• National certification preferred.
• Two years of job experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care in an outpatient physician practice under the direction of the practicing physician or physician assistant.
• Assist with clinical and clerical duties to support an optimized patient experience.
• Prepare patients for visits by directing or accompanying them to the examination room, providing gowns and drapes, helping position them, and arranging instruments, supplies, and equipment.
• Verify patient information by interviewing patients, reviewing or recording medical history, taking vital signs, and confirming the purpose of the visit or treatment.
• Perform timely insurance verification and eligibility processes using practice management systems, electronic eligibility functions, reports, payer websites, and telephone contacts.
• Obtain and accurately enter insurance, demographic, and eligibility information according to practice policies and procedures.
• Contact patients to identify missing information and make necessary corrections.
• Contact insurance companies to initiate and complete required precertification or authorization processes for procedures, surgeries, and diagnostic testing.
• Coordinate required documentation for authorizations, including medical records, CPT and ICD-10 coding, and letters of medical necessity.
• Track and follow up on open authorization requests in a timely manner and provide additional information to carriers as requested.
• Coordinate insurance-carrier peer review requests with the ordering physician.
• Notify physicians, practice staff, and/or patients when services are not approved.
• Coordinate appropriate responses to authorization appeals as determined by the physician.
• Maintain records of authorization activities, contacts, follow-ups, reference numbers, and supporting information.
• Document authorization approvals and denials in the electronic medical record and scan relevant documents into patient charts.
• Maintain working knowledge of procedures ordered and performed by the practice and working knowledge of CPT and diagnosis coding.
• Research payer authorization requirements and maintain reference guides and resources.
• Communicate changes in authorization processes, insurance policies, and billing requirements to practice staff.
• Maintain open communication with staff, physicians, and others.
• Assist the Revenue Cycle Department with researching and resolving claims denied for authorization or precertification reasons.
• Identify patients without third-party financial benefits and refer them for financial counseling according to applicable policies.