Job Summary:
The Patient Access Associate (PAA) is responsible for ensuring required demographic, financial, referral, and clinical data is collected, completed, and communicated per related policies and procedures. The Patient Access Associate provides administrative support with a willingness to work closely with patients, physicians, and other members of the health care team. In addition, the PAA's will check out patients after visits and assist in scheduling patients' follow up and testing appointments at the clinics.
Responsibilities:
- Principal responsibilities are to be conducted at the designated physical clinic location, encompassing all duties within the clinical setting.
- Greet all patients in a respectful, courteous, confidential, and caring manner upon arrival.
- Performs a variety of clerical and administrative duties related to the delivery of patient care, including greeting, checking patients in, scheduling all follow-up appointments upon check-out, 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.
- 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.
- Interact positively with patients, families, and other patient care providers.
- Interview, verify and/or update patient/family to obtain patient registration demographic, financial, and insurance information and accurately enter information into the computer.
- Assign appropriate financial class and insurance plans to patient visit.
- Secure patient's signature when applicable (i.e., Medicare waivers, financial agreements, insurance forms, etc.)
- Create medical records upon registration if the patient is new to the network.
- Prepare appropriate forms during registration process.
- Collects patient co-pays as appropriate and conducts conversations with patients on their out-of-pocket financial obligations.
- Verifies insurance coverage, benefits, and creates price estimates, reverifications as needed.
- Identifies outstanding balances from patient's previous visits and attempts to collect any amount due.
- Direct patients and families to appropriate areas of clinics.
- Show awareness of and care in line with the Patient's Bill of Rights.
- Responsible for collecting data directly from patients and referring provider offices to confirm and create scheduled appointments for patient services.
- Demonstrates appropriate telephone etiquette; to include but not limited to, answering telephone calls in a prompt, friendly, helpful manner, using courtesy title (i.e., Ms. Smith, Dr. Jones, etc.), convey location called, identify self by name, answer call within three rings, and if necessary, politely place caller on hold after asking permission.
- All registration paperwork is prepared and forwarded to the Medical Record department for scanning to patient's chart.
- Responds to patient and caregivers' inquiries related to routine and sensitive topics always in a compassionate and respectful manner.
- Provide cross coverage within the Patient Access Service departments when needed.
- Generates, reviews, and analyzes patient data reports and follows up on issues and inconsistencies as necessary.
- Obtain insurance authorization as necessitated by insurance providers.
- Gather necessary clinical information and process referrals, pre-certification, pre-determinations, and pre-authorize according to insurance plan requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or GED (required).
- 1-2 year Insurance verification experience.
- Customer service skills-verbal and written.
- Organizational and planning skills.
- Ability to handle several tasks simultaneously.
- Proficiency in the use of computers and related software's such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point
- NextGen knowledge preferred.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to work an 8-hour day with prolonged periods of sitting.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
- This position may require occasional local travel as needed.
Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour