Per Diem Patient Access Representative

Job Opportunity at Optum

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Responsible for providing patient-oriented service in a clinical or front office setting; performs a variety of clerical and administrative duties related to the delivery of patient care, including greeting, and checking in patients, answering phones, collecting patient co-pays and insurance payments, processing paperwork, and performing other front office duties as required in a fast-paced, customer-oriented clinical environment.

This position is Per Diem. Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our 8-hour shift schedules during our normal business hours. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime. Our office is located at 350 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ.

We offer 4 weeks of paid training. The hours of the training will be 8am to 4:30pm or 7am to 3:30pm, Monday - Friday.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Communicates directly with patients and / or families either in person or on the phone to complete the registration process by collecting patient demographics, health information, and verifying insurance eligibility / benefits
• Utilizes computer systems to enter access or verify patient data in real - time ensuring accuracy and completeness of information
• Gathers necessary clinical information and processes referrals, pre-certification, pre-determinations, and pre-authorizes according to insurance plan requirements
• Verifies insurance coverage, benefits and creates price estimates, reverifications as needed
• Collects patient co-pays as appropriate and conducts conversations with patients on their out-of-pocket financial obligations
• Identifies outstanding balances from patient's previous visits and attempts to collect any amount due
• Responsible for collecting data directly from patients and referring to provider offices to confirm and create scheduled appointments for patient services prior to hospital discharge
• Responds to patient and caregivers' inquiries related to routine and sensitive topics always in a compassionate and respectful manner
• Generates, reviews and analyzes patient data reports and follows up on issues and inconsistencies as necessary
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of specific registration requirements for all areas, including but not limited to: Main Admitting, OP Registration, ED Registration, Maternity, and Rehabilitation units

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED
• 1+ years of experience in a customer service role such as hospital, office, or phone support
• Intermediate level of proficiency with Microsoft Office products
• Ability to work 100% onsite at St. Joe's Hospital at 350 W. Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ
• Ability to work the following training hours: Monday to Friday be 8am to 4:30pm or 7am to 3:30pm
• Ability to work a Per Diem/On call schedule
• Access to reliable transportation and valid US driver's license
• Must be 18 years of age OR older

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a Hospital Patient Registration Department, Physician office or any medical setting
• Experience in requesting and processing financial payments
• Experience in insurance reimbursement and financial verification
• Working knowledge of medical terminology
• Understanding of insurance policies and procedures
• Ability to perform basic mathematics for financial payments

Soft Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, communication and customer service skills

Physical and Work Environment:

• Standing for long periods of time (10 to 12 hours) while using a workstation on wheels and phone/headset

**PLEASE NOTE** The sign-on bonus is only available to external candidates. Candidates who are currently working for UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare or a related entity in a full time, part time or per diem basis ('Internal Candidates') are not eligible to receive a sign on bonus.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.