Patient Benefits Coordinator

Who We Are:
Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. Over 10,000 homeless individuals are cared for by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program each year. We are committed to ensuring that every one of these individuals has access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer treatment. Our clinicians, case managers, and behavioral health professionals work in more than 30 locations to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens.

From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity; centering dignity, compassion, mutual respect and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down barriers, including systemic racism which harms us all. We provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate, incorporating social determinants of health, with the goal of breaking down the physical and systemic barriers that our patients face.

Job Summary:
Hours: Full Time: 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Union: Yes
Union Name: 1199 SEIU
Patient Facing: Yes

We are looking to hire a Patient Benefits Coordinator (PBC), who will have a dual role assisting in the administrative and clinical areas.  In the clinical area the PBC, under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse and in accordance with the policies of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program’s procedures, protocols, and standards of practice, you will participate in the delivery of patient care.  In the administrative area you will gather patient information for registration, schedules appointments, prepare medical records, and files.  You will also be responsible for patient appointment confirmation as well as enrolling BHCHP patients into health care plans.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities :
Clinical Support: Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, performs a variety of appropriately delegated patient care interventions.         

• Collaborates with the Registered Nurse throughout the shift to determine appropriate work assignment and priorities, as well as communicates status of delegated task completion and outcome of patient data findings.  Maintains timely ongoing verbal communication.
• Accurately collects requested patient data (e.g. vital signs, weights and reason for visit.)
• Treats patients in a manner that preserves and supports patient confidentiality, patient’s rights and patient’s dignity.
• Collects, labels, and sends/transport specimens with appropriate laboratory slips and or requisitions.
• Assists nurse/provider during complex treatments/procedures, including but not limited to doing preps and set-ups for examinations/treatments and assisting during procedures.
• Checks inventories, re-stock as needed.
• Maintains appropriate equipment logs and records.
• Performs other duties as needed. Participation as a member of the patients’ care team.
• Attends daily team huddles when in clinic.
• Attends clinic staff meetings and team break- out sessions.
• Provides education to patients regarding PCMH.
• Participates in ongoing clinical quality improvement endeavors.
• Participates in identification of, and care planning for, high risk/ enhanced care patients.

Clerical Support:

• Accurately complete and appropriately process medical insurance applications, including Mass Health Essential, Mass Health Standard and Free Care.
• Works closely with the Manager of Patient Intake & Benefit Enrollment to implement processes and procedures for enrolling and maintaining patients in the appropriate medical and cash benefits programs.
• Works effectively with BHCHP administrative and clinical staff as well as staff at city, state, and federal agencies to obtain information or paperwork necessary for enrolling patients into the appropriate medical or cash benefits programs.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of all benefits applications in process.
• Follow-up in a timely manner on all Mass Health, Free Care applications submitted for patients.
• Assists patients in signing them up for a Cash Benefits Payee.
• Obtains any needed documentation for completion of medical benefits applications.
• Checks patient’s eligibility for Mass Health using the REVS system and for Free Care using the Free Care database.
• Keeps the McInnis Database and MSI registration system current by complete and accurate input of patient benefits information.
• Confirms patient appointments.
• Assists with scheduling of patient follow-up appointments and consultations.
• Maintains clinic files and patient records.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of education beyond high school or an equivalent combination of work experience and high school education/GED.
• Successful completion of medical assistant program a plus, willing to train the right individual.
• Effective interpersonal skills to interact appropriately with nursing staff, patients, physicians, and hospital staff.
• Ability to accurately interpret and utilize basic terminology and abbreviations.
• Successfully complete the MassHealth Certified Application Counselor exam (CAC) within 60 days of hire and maintain active certification status.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The compensation increases based on years of experience and ranges from $22.25 - $35.60 hourly.
• BHCHP full time employees are eligible for our competitive time off program, health, dental and vision insurance, 403B retirement savings plan, pre-tax MBTA pass program with 40% discount, additional compensation for demonstrated bilingual proficiency and more.  Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Does this amazing opportunity interest you? Then we'd love to hear from you.

As an equal opportunity employer, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Covid-19 Vaccination: Proof of Covid-19 vaccination(s) is optional for employment. Candidates who are offered employment will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination if they choose to.

Please Note: Employment at Boston Health Care for the Homeless is at-will. Boston Health Care for the Homeless does not sponsor work authorization visas.