Access Specialist I

Pre‑Service Specialist I Department/Unit: Patient Access | Work Shift: Per Diem (United States of America) | Salary Range: $46,215.00 – $60,080.00 The Pre‑Service Specialist I is responsible for the initial touchpoint of our patient population to provide an exceptional patient experience assisting in scheduling services for our Hospital and Practice. This requires the ability to work in a high‑volume contact center and fast‑paced environment. Understanding complex scheduling needs of our patients in an empathetic, compassionate manner is critical. The position is required to use eligibility application to invoke request to verify insurance eligibility, interpret response and capture appropriate health insurance information as it pertains to the service being rendered. The position requires the ability to understand and apply contractual benefits to the service being rendered, with the ability to collect patient financial obligation pre‑services. The Pre‑Service Specialist I, after one year in the position and based on performance and success in the position, has the ability to be promoted to Pre‑Service Specialist II as Career Ladder requirements indicate. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Responsible for scheduling appointments and services for assigned service line (POD) via the scheduling system following established scripting and protocols promoting physician satisfaction and scheduling efficiencies on behalf of our patients. Identify trigger words, symptoms and patient concerns, assuring calls are triaged to the respective Clinic Nursing team per protocol. Discerning demographic and insurance information to ensure accurate registration. Interpret information received from Insurance Payer regarding patient’s eligibility and financial responsibility. Discuss financial obligation of patient and collect via cash, credit card or check. Accurately interpret referral/physician order to meet the patient and/or provider need for scheduling of services correctly. Scan or manage online form template to maintain the Electronic Health Record. Comprehend Federal, State, Third Party Payer regulations as it pertains to a hospital and practice pre‑registration. Work in multiple systems during a telephone call or patient‑facing interaction to complete an accurate registration and support clinical workflow. Review services being rendered to ensure the appropriate setting of care has been assigned by the physician’s office. Obtain all insurance information from patient and verify insurance to ensure active coverage for services being scheduled. Provide thorough comments, where applicable, for all conversations with patients or providers. Qualifications High School Diploma/G.E.D. – required (1–2 years of experience). Winning customer service personality with ability to engage patients and customers via telephone with superior patient experience. Medical Terminology and Insurance Knowledge – preferred. Proven customer service skill with ability to exceed expectations. Ability to multi‑task in stressful and high patient volume unit. Manage pressure of very tight timeframes to execute tasks. Learn in classroom, utilizing resources. Maintain composure under pressure. Review information and draw appropriate conclusion. Good judgement and ability to be resourceful to problem‑solve; escape issues as needed. Team‑minded work ethic. Demonstrated ability to interpret patient’s insurance benefits and apply applicable contractual obligations. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Physical Demands Standing – occasionally, Walking – occasionally, Sitting – occasionally. Constantly Talking, Constantly Hearing. Constantly Repetitive Motions, Constantly Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination. Frequently: Extreme cold – rarely; Extreme heat – rarely; Humidity – rarely; Wet – rarely; Noise – occasionally; Hazards – rarely; Temperature Change – rarely; Atmospheric Conditions – rarely; Vibration – rarely. Benefits Albany Medical Center offers excellent career opportunities in a wide range of roles in both patient care and administration. We value all our staff members and offer outstanding employee benefits including: excellent health care coverage with no copay at Albany Medical Center providers; a wide array of services and programs to support emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. Equal Opportunity Employer Albany Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer. This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA protected health information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Medical Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification. #J-18808-Ljbffr Albany Med