Patient Access Specialist

What We OfferResponsible for staffing multiple hospital entry points to provide registration-related functions including the Emergency Department, Outpatient Imaging, Outpatient Surgery, and others. Responsible for pre-registration, registration, verification activities and gathering and processing of patient demographic and financial information. Responsible for identifying source of payment and collecting payment and interfacing with insurers, members of the hospital and medical staff.

Maintains current knowledge of Federal and State regulatory compliance guidelines and joint commission requirements. Promotes departmental objectives through cooperation and quality performance. Cross training required in multiple administrative support functions and registration points.

Works in fast paced, stressful environment requiring staffing weekdays and weekends all hours. Depending on the assigned facility, scheduled shift, and other factors, may be responsible for physically assisting patients into the registration area and/or providing bedside registration.

• Process: Captures and enters accurate patient demographic and financial information via telephone interviews, hard copy documentation (mail-in, facsimile, etc.), and/or direct patient contact. Adapts interview process to the age of the patient/family member. Enters all information gathered into the patient management system. Depending on the assigned facility, scheduled shift, and other factors, the ability to physically meet the patient where they are in their care to complete job role and utilize Workstation on Wheels (WOW) to complete job functions at registration area or at the bedside, including movement from bay to bay and throughout waiting rooms depending on assigned work area. May include the following activities: physically accompanying patient to registration area or service area via wheelchair (including locking and unlocking wheelchair), ambulatory assist, or support guide. Improve WQ volume and validate future appointments for expedited service. Trained and competent in electronic health record downtime as needed. Proficient in transcribing orders in patient management system. Assists with the rescheduling of patient appointments when needed. Scheduling worker’s comp patients (applicable by center).
• Compliance: Ensures all appropriate documentation is complete and included on the patient chart, in accordance with Federal and State regulatory guidelines, and The Joint Commission requirements. Follows federal guidelines in providing Medicare documents to patient, explaining content and receiving written signature.
• Customer Service: Coordinates with insurance verification and financial counseling to ensure appropriate insurance authorization is obtained prior to the scheduled appointment. Assists patient with billing issues and questions about insurance coverage and refers unsponsored or underinsured patients to financial navigator. Maintains up to date knowledge and competency of a wide variety of third-party plans and insurance carriers, both participating and non-participating plans, which are complex and ever changing. Models an understanding of diversity by creating and maintaining an environment that supports and respects diversity. Anticipates patient related mobility needs and provides appropriate assistance. Provides a warm welcome and hand off by accompanying patients and or family members to the designated service area or waiting room when necessary. Standing, walking, providing safe wheelchair transport and bending for wheelchair locking and unlocking, and mobilizing registration equipment may be required to provide customer service, enable the completion of registration-related duties, and accompanying patients to their designated service area. Acts with honesty and integrity with employees and stakeholders, showing and speaking with respect for the rights of others, human dignity, local culture, and Novant Health’s mission, vision and values.
• Financial: Creates estimates for patient responsibility and discusses insurance benefits and amount due with all patients. Communicates the financial liability to the patient and collects the patient’s portion of the financial responsibility. Processes payments in accordance with policies and procedures. Prepares a daily bank deposit for revenues received during the workday. Prepares and delivers bank deposits to the local banks when needed. Refers to Financial Navigators as needed. Ability to process and close cash drawers. Ability to enroll patient in payment plans. Validates future appointments to ensure registration and pricing are complete prior to arrival. Extensive benefit knowledge. Completes basic financial counselor processes as needed.
• Quality Improvement: Complies with all organizational policies and procedures. Maintains satisfactory attendance at Patient Access educational and departmental meetings. Attends all mandatory education sessions and takes advantage of continuing professional education opportunities. Demonstrates a personal commitment to continuous quality improvement through active participation. Organizes and manages time effectively to optimize productivity. Meets departmental registration goals in accordance with policy and procedures. Responsible for resolving work queues (WQ) in patient management system. Report WQ trends and issues to leader.
• Professional: Possesses the ability to accept change in a positive manner and implement change with positive results. Demonstrates a positive image of a caring and concerned organization at all times. Maintains composure in difficult situations. Uses best judgment to resolve patient problems or refer issues to department supervisor.
• Communication: Work within a team to achieve patient and team goals. Share and initiate regular and professional communication with co-workers. Participate in regular staff meetings. Identifies opportunities to improve processes based on feedback from staff and customers. Assists key stakeholders such as emergency transport with patient demographic information when needed. Also, be knowledgeable of the digital phone operations for call transfers and emergency paging. What We're Looking ForEducation: High School Diploma or GED, required.

Minimum one year experience in patient access, registration, billing, cash collection, insurance and/or pre-certification in a medical environment, preferred. One year Customer Service experience in any field, preferred. One year of clerical experience in medical office setting.

Other related experience may be considered in lieu of medical office experience, preferred. Additional Skills (required): Demonstrated knowledge of insurance plans and coordination of benefits, registration processes, collection and cash receipting in compliance with regulatory standards, emergency codes and appropriate responses, and applicable federal and state healthcare regulations. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, possesses experience and competency in customer relation skills.

Ability to organize and prioritize work in a stressful environment with changing priorities. Must be able to interact with individuals of all cultures and levels of authority. Requires the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and individually. Good oral and written communication skills. Good problem solving skills.

Basic medical terminology, knowledge can be obtained through formal classes or work experience. Basic computer skills and experience in patient registration systems. Maintains current knowledge of Federal and State regulatory compliance guidelines and JCAHO requirements.

Participates in and facilitates communication between their supervisors other Revenue Cycle Departmental staff and management in order to strengthen and improve processes within the revenue cycle. Adheres to departmental objectives through cooperation and qua