Patient Registration - Business Office Clerk

Patient Registration - Business Office Clerk

The Business Office employee, under the supervision of the Business Office Director, is responsible for the financial success of the facility in regard to revenue cycle management. The employee should have a full understanding of each of the processes to maximize reimbursement: registration, posting of payments and collections on outstanding balances. It is understood that business office clerks will change tasks from time to time to meet the needs of the business.

Projects a professional demeanor and appearance while maintaining the confidentiality of patients, co-workers, and the surgery center and adhering to the HIPAA policy. Reports, in good faith, any known or suspected activity that appears to violate laws, rules, regulations or the SP Code of Conduct. Fulfills annual Competency continuing education requirements.

Personal attributes include the ability to be self-directed; demonstrates accountability, professionalism, and receptiveness to change; seeks guidance, direction, and assistance when needed. Works under stress and in situations that demand patience, stamina, endurance, and tact while providing impeccable service. Fosters an attitude of teamwork and willingness to assist others and does not refuse performing other job duties as requested within the hospital or hospital outpatient department. Sets priorities, responds timely to issues, which require a decision, and ensure desired results are achieved by means of consistent, follow through. Willingly accepts other assignments as the need arises.

Assigned tasks to be completed accurately, and within specified timelines. Assures Annual competency education is up to date and completed prior to deadlines. Participates in regular departmental staff meetings and facility-wide meetings. Always on time for work and attendance is within company policy guidelines. Willingness to assist in orientation of new staff and ensuring a high level of employee satisfaction and retention. Performance self-evaluations to be completed and returned before scheduled date for annual performance review. Performs and conducts self in a professional and appropriate manner in all situations. Demonstrates respect and cooperation in all staff relationships, and a genuine willingness to prevent or resolve inter-personal conflicts. Demonstrates the ability to participate in and/or implement team decisions. Accepts and implements change in a positive and professional manner.

Performs registration processing for various system patient types including but not limited to outpatient clinic, outpatient surgery, observation, in-patient, emergency, and direct admissions/transfers. Informs management of all extraordinary situations involving medical and clinical staff, visitors, patients, or other departments. Communicates with other hospital departments to facilitate excellent patient care.

Confirms demographic information with the patient during interview and ensures all patients demographic information is entered accurately into the facility EHR database. Updates patient records by direct data input. Performs bedside registration to complete needed demographic information when required.

Obtains insurance information and enters insurance information into the EHR. Assigns a financial class based on information obtained. Completes all required information is obtained to complete proper verification. Screens patients for funding upon preadmission and arrival.

Generates and distributes all necessary forms relating to patient admissions and registration, including but not limited to: Consent for Treatment, Patient Rights and Responsibility, Notice of Physician Ownership, WC Accident/Injury forms (OJI), Medicare Secondary Questionnaire, Advanced Beneficiary Notices (ABN), Medicare Important Message (CMS), Third Party Liability (TPL) forms, Notice of Patient Privacy (NPP), Financial Responsibility/Estimate forms, patient handbook, and other needed medical forms. Secures necessary signatures and obtains copies of all insurance cards

Utilizes electronic signature platforms for forms to be completed by the patient/guarantor for signature.

Properly identifies/generates patient medical record number, in order to, reduce potential medical risk and/or duplication. Obtains patient identification for reference and retention.

Advises patient or patient's guarantor of charges incurred and the need for payment at the time of arrival and/or dismissal. Collects indicated amounts from patient or patient's guarantor and properly batches and posts in payment posting system. Secures deposits and corresponding paperwork as stipulated by department policies. Documents notes on non-payment when encountered.

Gives patients detailed instructions and/or directions to other pertinent clinical areas. Assists with customer service issues and handles intake phone calls. Escorts patients/visitors to clinical areas (using wheelchairs if necessary)

Processes admissions by assigning patients to a bed/location provided by inpatient unit. Interprets physician orders, ensuring proper order status, and that documentation requirements are met and completed.

Maintains scanned copies of all pertinent registration documentation within the EHR.

Consistently uses facility approved translation system for proper patient communication when a translator is required. Documenting translation validation appropriately.

Understands how to process patients during system outages "Downtime"

Performs other duties as assigned

Demonstrates competence to perform assigned and general customer assistance responsibilities in a manner that meets the age-specific and developmental needs of customers encountered.

Develops and maintains a culture of service in department, connecting organizational values to actions.

Utilizes every opportunity to improve the patient's understanding of financial responsibility.

Assures the department provides a high level of Patient Satisfaction through interactions, discussions, and recognition of team members.

Assures a high level of Physician Satisfaction with responsible departments, models interactions with physicians to managers and staff, and participates in development and implementation of action plan as needed for improvement.

Effectively accesses SP Service area resources and implements recommendations.

Assures that business office systems are in place to maintain compliance with State, Federal, and accreditation standards.

Complies with departmental policies and procedures to meet regulatory and community standards.

Ensures accurate and complete registration processing and works to maintain departmental quality goals.

Collection of deductible, co-pays, co-insurance and other amounts as indicted on estimated insurance benefits worksheet

Maintains workflow of registration processing and communicates issues to management when required action is needed.

Provides prompt and professional phone courtesy while answering phone calls

Prompt and accurate payment posting when performing daily collections. Paying close attention to detail to eliminate errors.

Complies with month-end tasks in patient accounting software as required.

Manages collection activities to maximize revenue to assure budgeted EBITDA results are achieved.

Ensures registration processing accuracy meets department goals in order to promote timely and accurate billing

Account management is performed according to SP benchmarks and guidelines,

Actively participates in achieving the monthly collection goals. Communicates with patients as necessary to discuss financial responsibility

Participates in reducing cost of office supply usage resulting in cost effective operations of areas of responsibility.

Participates in the fiscal management initiatives for the facility as directed by leadership in accordance with SP benchmarks.

Ensures effectiveness of internal controls through following all general accountability principles.

Overtime is justified and approved in advance

Manage work process to maintain high quality standards on increasing case volume.

Utilize all available automation tools. Introduce new or improved tools when applicable.

Provide excellent customer service to all internal and external customers

Accepts change as an opportunity for growth, learning and development. Adapts to changing procedures and goals in a cooperative and positive manner.

Willingness to participate in goal-setting and educational activities for own growth and advancements

Demonstrates eligibility for employment in the U.S.

High School graduate or equivalent

Minimum of one year of experience in business office activities within a healthcare environment

Ability to relate and work effectively with others

Demonstrated verbal and written communications in English for contacting payors, patients, and co-workers

Demonstrated computers skills in utilizing work processing, integrated database, and understanding of mathematical calculations and medical terminology

Ability to use office machines (copiers, faxes, and scanners), and telephone systems

Proficiency using and knowledge of Microsoft Office, computers, patient accounting systems and Microsoft Excel

Prior cash handling/collection experience is preferred.

Ability to type 20 WPM

The patient population served by South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital is a minimum of 12 years and/or of adult stature to geriatric patients requiring or seeking pain and/or surgical intervention. In addition, our hospital outpatient department patient population served by South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital is a minimum of 6 months to geriatric patients.

May be expected to lift to 25 pounds or up to 50 pounds with assistance. Work is of light-demand, sitting or walking most of the time while on duty. Visual and auditory acuity and manual dexterity essential to performing designated duties required: optimal auditory acuity required; manual dexterity involving the handling of equipment and computers is essential to performing assigned duties. Physical conditions are clean, neat, and well-

South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital