Patient Access Associate (PRN)

General Position Summary:

The Patient Access Associate is responsible to complete patient registration activities for all patients presenting for services. The registrar is responsible to conduct an effective patient interview to capture and enter demographic and insurance information from the patient to establish the encounter record in the health information system for clinical documentation and billing purposes. The Registrar is responsible to verify insurance eligibility, verify prior authorization status, estimate patient out of pocket liability and collect out of pocket amounts at time of service. The registrar is responsible to capture signatures on consent and other required forms for the visit encounter. This position is customer service driven and the individual must have the ability to effectively promote positive patient and family experience, exhibit empathy and compassion, and demonstrate strong communication skills.

This position represents the Revenue Cycle team by adhering to and upholding service performance stands in providing the highest quality service. They will support their co-workers, engage in positive interactions, and provide helpful assistance in anticipating and responding to the needs of our customers.

This position is an essential position at the facility to ensure efficient operations and patient care. Employees hired into an essential position are expected to report to work for their scheduled shifts regardless of environmental weather and road conditions that may exist

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains a professional image and demonstrates service excellence with every encounter.
• Accurately collects and enters patient demographic and insurance information into the organization’s health information system for each patient presenting to the hospital or clinic for outpatient or emergency medical care.
• Requests patient photo ID and insurance cards at time of service and scans to the encounter record in the health information system.
• Verifies insurance eligibility for defined date of services.
• Ensures prior authorization for services as required by the payer is accurately documented in the patient record for billing purposes.
• Validates medical necessity and obtains signatures on ABN form for Medicare patients as appropriate based on service provision.
• Estimates patient out of pocket liability amount and collects patient financial obligations at time of service.
• Schedules appointments for patient services in the hospital information system.
• Conducts bedside registration in the emergency department post medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment in adherence to EMTALA regulations.
• Provides patients with information about the organization’s financial assistance program and refers to the financial counselor as indicated.
• Support co-workers and engage in positive interactions.
• Communicate professionally and timely with internal and external customers.
• Demonstrate friendliness by smiling and making eye contact when greeting all customers.
• Provide helpful assistance in anticipating and responding to the needs of our customers.
• Collaborate with customers in planning and decision-making for optima solutions.
• Demonstrate the ability to stay calm under pressure and deal effectively with difficult situations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Good oral and written communication skills.

Demonstrates age specific competency.

Demonstrates understanding of Medicare and third-party payer coordination of benefits policies and procedures related to the admission and registration function.

Demonstrates cash management skills.

Ability to interact professionally, courteously, and efficiently with the public, coworkers, and payor contacts.

Demonstrates good judgmental and the ability to make decisions effectively.

Ability to interact with patients calmly and treat them with dignity and respect, even in stressful conditions.

Ability to perform registration routines in the hospital’s health information system accurately and timely.

Knowledge of HIPAA regulations and demonstrates the ability to keep protected health information confidential.

Good time management and organizational skills.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Knowledge of medical terminology.

Knowledge of revenue cycle policies and procedures.

Knowledge of payer contracts.

Knowledge of health insurance payors.

Work Experience, Education, and Certifications:

High School graduate or equivalent.

Experience in an acute care hospital, medical office, or clinic environment preferred.

Physical Requirements / Demands:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must be able to lift 15 pounds.

Statement of Non-Inclusivity:

This job description has been designed to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, and qualifications which may be required of or given to any employee assigned to the position. The skills, duties, requirements, and responsibilities outlined in this job description may be changed or added to when deemed appropriate and necessary by the company or the person who is designated to be managerially responsible for this position.