Patient Access Specialist

Position Overview

The purpose of this position is to serve as a liaison between patient/family, payers, Patient Financial Services, and other health care team members. You'll be asked to facilitate patient tracking and billing by obtaining/verifying accurate and complete demographic information, financially securing, and collecting out-of-pocket responsibility from guarantors to maximize hospital reimbursement.

Essential Job Functions

Maintain compliance with EMTALA, DNV, HIPAA and all other hospital and government regulations applicable to the Admissions settings and in handling of Medical Records

Provide excellent customer service at all times by effectively meeting customer needs, understanding who the customers are, and building quality relationships

The Patient Access Specialist plays a role in protecting patient safety by ensuring each patient is properly identified and triaged when they arrive to the hospital

Answer telephone in a professional and courteous manner, record messages and communicate to appropriate medical staff

Provide and obtain signatures on required forms and consents

Obtain, verify, and enter complete and accurate demographic information on all accounts to facilitate smooth processing through the revenue cycle

Verify insurance benefits for all plans associated with patient, confirming the correct payor and plan is entered into the patient accounting system

Obtain insurance authorizations as required by individual insurance plans where applicable

Maximize the efficiency and accuracy of the collection process by pursuing collections at the time of service in a customer service-oriented fashion

Scan all registration and clinical documentation into the system and maintain all medical records

Assist with coordinating the transfer of patients to other hospitals when necessary

Respond to medical record requests from patients, physicians and hospitals

Maintain cash drawer according to policies

Maintain log of all patients, payments received, transfers and hospital admissions

Maintain visitor/vendor log

Other Job Functions

Maintain a clean working environment for the facility. This includes the front desk, restroom, waiting room, break area and patient rooms when assistance is needed by medical staff

Receive deliveries including mail from various carriers and forward to appropriate departments as needed

Notify appropriate contact of any malfunctioning equipment or maintenance needs

Attend staff meetings or other company sponsored or mandated meetings as required

Assist medical staff as needed

Perform additional duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED, required

2 years of patient registration and insurance verification experience in a health care setting, preferred

Emergency Department registration experience, strongly preferred

Knowledge of various insurance plans (HMO, PPO, POS, Medicare, Medicaid) and payors, required.

Basic understanding of medical terminology

Excellent customer service

Working knowledge of MS Office (MS Word, Excel and Outlook), strongly preferred.

Position requires fluency in English; written and oral communication

Fluency in both English & Spanish is a requirement in the El Paso Market