Patient Access Specialist

Overview

Assists in providing access to services provided at the hospital and/or other service area. Processes registration information for the patient visit, obtaining patient demographic and third‑party information with a high degree of accuracy, and performs financial collections. Performs the timely completion, preparation, and deployment of legal, ethical and compliance related documents that must be presented and thoroughly explained to the patient at the time of registration.

Maintains knowledge of JCAHO, Patient Rights and Responsibilities, HIPAA, HMOs, Commercial Payers, and departmental / system policies and procedures. Work may be performed in a patient care area. Serves as a liaison between ancillary departments and other Patient Access Services areas.

• Shift
  
  Hours:
  
  4:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• Days Worked:
  Every other weekend
• (FTE): 0.5 - Part-Time

USD $16.00
/Hr.

USD $23.64
/Hr.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent required.

Experience: One (1) year of business office experience, preferably in Patient Access, billing, collections, insurance principles/practices, or accounts receivable. Completion of 12 (twelve) hours of coursework in a business or healthcare related field of study may be considered in lieu of business office experience. Previous experience in Patient Access is highly desirable.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Knowledge of tasks performed in the various Patient Access Service areas is necessary to provide optimum customer satisfaction and accurate reimbursement. Demonstrates superior patient relations and interpersonal skills; demonstrates appropriateness when dealing with staff, patients and general public. Working knowledge of computers required; ability to enter and retrieve data and use registration software and other applications. Must demonstrate detail orientation, critical thinking, problem‑solving ability, excellent oral and written communication, and customer service skills with a calm and professional demeanor in high‑stress situations.

Demonstrated ability to remain flexible and exercise sound judgment and initiative in stressful situations. Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently in a rapidly changing environment. Must be able to educate, persuade, and negotiate effectively with patients and families. Knowledge of medical terminology, CPT and ICD‑9‑CM coding, and hospital billing claims is preferred but not required.

• Plays a vital role in representing JMH in a positive, compassionate manner with professional communication, mannerism, and appearance.
• Assist patients/visitors throughout the enterprise, providing telephone support, one‑on‑one assistance, and way finding.
• Maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with all co‑workers, physicians, management, and external customers to coordinate for optimum patient flow and throughput.
• Actively support patient/family centered care by actions and attitudes that demonstrate service excellence.
• Identify customer service concerns and resolve and/or initiate service recovery.
• Accountable for Admissions and/or Registrations (Outpatient/ED/Pre) to ensure accurate demographic/financial data is properly obtained, entered, and documented into required system(s), including Bedside registrations, Pre‑Registration, Point of Service Registrations, Bed Assignments, and Facility‑to‑Facility Transfers, and to initiate the Patient Revenue Cycle by proper identification, verification and entry of insurance and authorization information.
• Notify and explain financial obligation to the patient/guarantor in a compassionate manner.
• Provide resources for financial assistance.
• Stay abreast of insurance and billing code updates.
• Verify Medicare Medical Necessity and issue ABNs for uncovered services.
• Issue and explain insurance waivers, as necessary.
• Ensure outpatient physician orders are scanned and attached to the patient visit and tests are ordered via the order entry system accurately.
• Perform other related work as required or requested.