Patient Access Account Specialist I

Now Hiring: Patient Access Account Specialist I

Under the direction of the Patient Access Supervisor, the Patient Access Account Specialist I provides basic functions to financial clear patient accounts for government and commercial accounts prior to the date of service. Performs basic financial clearance functions, including insurance verification, authorization, collection and documentation of patient demographics, benefit analysis, and pre-service collections. The Patient Access Account Specialist I will ensure follow up on authorizations for scheduled and Urgent/Emergent procedures and admissions until date of service or discharge for admissions. The Patient Access Account Specialist I must possess a basic knowledge of Medicare (CMS) guidelines, as well as other Compliance Regulatory guidelines applicable to Patient Access to include HIPAA, EMTALA, and CMS guidelines of MSPQ.

Type of Opportunity: Full time

Job Exempt: No

Job is based: Reverend Hugh Cooper Administrative Center

Work Shift: Days (United States of America)

Customer Service and Caring Practices:

• Achieve exceptional patient experience for patients and patient families by using CARES, AIDET and EPE tools.
• Addresses and attempts to appropriately resolve complaints in the moment by using key words at key times and de-escalation processes.
• Ability to manage conflict and appropriately request the help of a supervisor when needed.
• Implement PROMISE and CARES behaviors in every encounter.
• Educates patients for whom they speak regarding insurance benefits and liabilities.
• Ensures accounts are financially cleared prior to date of service to alleviate patient concerns over hospital financial matters

Encounter Components:

• Performs the patient registration process. Manage the accurate collection of patient data which includes but is not limited to;
• Obtain/confirm and enter demographic and other financial and clinical information necessary for final clearance of scheduled accounts.
• Review Urgent/Emergent admission accounts for notification, financial clearance and authorization pre-discharge.
• Obtain missing insurance information, to include policy number, group number, date of birth, and insurance phone number if not already identified in account.
• Verify insurance for eligibility and benefits using online electronic verification system or by contacting payer directly.
• Review and process work queues related to Patient Access pre-visit or urgent/emergent admissions, per department guidelines.
• Review of accounts falling within the work queues to ensure the insurance information contains accurate policy ID#s, Group Name and Numbers, Subscriber information, Authorization numbers, as well as correct payer and Coordination of benefits prior to date of service.
• Accurately document actions taken in the system of record to drive effective follow-up and ensure an accurate audit trail.
• Maintain ongoing knowledge of authorization requirements and payer guidelines. Maintain a proficient knowledge of Medicare (CMS) guidelines as it relates to admissions and outpatient services. Ensuring compliance with admissions forms, benefit entitlement verification, and billing requirements
• Ensure accurate completion of MSPQ prior to date of service.
• Daily focus on attaining productivity standards; recommend new approaches for enhancing performance and productivity when appropriate.
• Monitor and track Data Quality program to ensure errors are corrected prior to final bill and correct accounts as necessary.
• Maintain appropriate records, files, and timely and accurate documentation in the system of record.
• Work with ancillary departments to ensure coding, diagnosis and facility are authorization are in alignment.
• Work with payers to ensure authorization is in place; initiating the auth when appropriate.

Financial Accountabilities:

• Collects identified patient financial obligation amounts including residual balance if applicable. Collect liability from patient prior to visit or make arrangements for payment at time of service.
• Ensure a payer source has been identified prior to services being rendered.
• Ensure authorization for correct procedure (CPT), facility, and date of service is obtained.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma, continued education preferred
• External and Internal Non-Patient Access Candidates: Pass Patient Academy with passing score of 85% or higher
• Previous completion and passing of Patient Access Advocate II and III Advancement test.
• A minimum of 2 years of work experiences in healthcare setting within Patient Access and/or billing plus strong customer service background.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of insurance and financial processing of accounts.
• Proficient in EPIC ADT system
• Specialty Certifications: CHAA, CHAM or other industry equivalent certification preferred