Patient Access Associate

Job Description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary:

Efficiently and courteously obtains information to register patients in the clinical management system to assure accurate and complete demographic and payor information. Performs associated clerical duties including obtaining signatures for patient consent, verifying insurance information, generation of point of service bills. Explores every avenue available in collecting account at time of service. Implements a mutually satisfactory method of payment until account is paid in full. Communicates with Patient Access, Resource Management, and the Medicaid eligibility vendor.

Responsibilities:

1. Responsibilities and Activities:

• a. Facilitates collections of debts at time of service to the hospital in a professional and efficient manner for the Emergency Department (ED) including ED Minor.
• b. Communicates payment arrangements for services.
• c. Counsel patients/family regarding the hospitals self-pay collection and payment option policies.
• d. Calculating and communicating patients self-pay obligations and creating payment expectations.
• e. Performing financial clearance and discharge interviews.
• f. Assisting in medical assistant application (in coordination with onsite Medicaid vendor) and/or Resource Management.
• Consistently interacts with patient/families, regardless of the circumstances, in a courteous and professional manner and always maintain patient confidentiality.
• Frequently interacts with other departments and insurance companies regarding patient services and insurance.
• Collaborate with ancillary departments and outside agencies for documentation regarding patient services.
• Identifies patient/families who qualify for the hospital financial assistance policy.

2. Excellent Communication and Organizational Skills:

• Assures patient experience is excellent (manages gaps and acknowledges inconveniences).
• Must be able to confidently, quickly and accurately make basic mathematical calculations (e.g. must be able to review insurance coverage terms into math calculations and arrive at accurate results).
• Employs technology and concepts, such as scheduling and time management tools (e.g. Outlook, Acryness, Outlook Calendar), to efficiently manage multiple priorities, timeliness and follow-up on tasks.
• Responds to inquiries courteously. Provides accurate and clear directions and/or provides an escort for the patient to the place of service.
• Ensures that system notes are well documented and properly reflect account activity.
• Communicates all problems and relevant issues as they arise to management in an appropriate manner.
• Interacts with patients, families, clinical employees and physician offices according to established hospital and department policies.
• Consistently calculates and provides accurate information regarding patients liability.
• Manages tasks in a timely manner.
• Documents all financial arrangements/notes in Meditech timely.
• Tasks are followed up in a timely manner.
• Estimations and calculations are performed accurately and efficiently.
• Promotes a positive image of the hospital when interacting with patients, visitors and coworkers.

3. Ensures accurate data entry of demographic and insurance information which serves as the foundation for the clinical and financial information system.

• Verifies all encountered demographics.
• Scans drivers license and insurance cards.
• Obtains all required signatures (consents, HIPAA, Importance Message from Medicare, Observation Notification Letter and other forms assigned) needed to process claims.
• Selects patients from patient index with 99% accuracy. Accurately assigns insurance plan code and medical record numbers.
• Uses Passport Software to calculate ED co-pays.

4. Maintains records and reports in accordance with hospital policies and procedures accurately and timely.

• Maintains excel spreadsheets with daily totals.
• Updates daily down grade from floors.
• Collections are deposited to Cashier timely.
• Collection reports completed timely.
• Prepares and maintains any reports as assigned.
• Maintains collection goals as assigned by leadership team.
• EDUCATION
• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Associate Degree in Business, Medical Office Administration or related field preferred.
• EXPERIENCE
• Twelve months of customer service, collections, registration or medical office experience required of have completed the competency for a Patient Access Associate through LMH work experience.
• LICENSURE/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION
• None required.
• OTHER SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Excellent customer service skills. Excellent communication and organizational skills. Ability to utilize computers, electronic calculator and other office equipment. Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software necessary, preferably Microsoft Word and Excel. Able to deal with the public (face to face and over the phone). Excellent interdepartmental communication skills required.

Job Details

Legal Employer: Lenoir Health

Entity: UNC Lenoir Health Care

Organization Unit: Ed Registration

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: LENOIR MEM

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.