Patient Access Associate Per Diem

Provide efficient access to patients and providers seeking treatment within the Care New England System. Completes registration upon arrival of patients to Patient Assessment Services or Partial Hospital.

• Obtains all demographic information.
• Verifies Insurance eligibility via online resources or phone call when necessary and enters bundles in Avatar.
• Determine adequate levels of benefits for treatment programs, inputting in Avatar the patients Mental Health benefit breakdown including Deductible information, what is owed and what has been met, copay information, co-insurance information, out of pocket information, Medicare days if on Medicare. On all bundles both inpatient and outpatient mental health benefits need to be obtained. Insurance ERO information also needs to be put in the ERO field of the bundle, so that Social Work has the phone number for the insurance to obtain authorization, it is the responsibility of the staff completing the bundle to find out if authorization on Mental Health services are needed.
• Review your registrations for accuracy. Enter benefits; prepare files for the Business Office for billing.
• Review any authorization requirements on all Inpatient Admissions; inform clinical staff when authorization is needed.
• Updates Teletracking with any anticipated insurance impact and any possible admissions.
• Completes MSPQ with patient/family member for all Medicare patients.
• Scans patient’s insurance card and identification both front and back and files in appropriate form (when applicable).
• Verifies all information is scanned under correct episode along with correct benefits.
• Photographs patient, creates labels for paperwork, prints patient bracelets when applicable.
• Has patient sign appropriate financial forms allowing the hospital to bill appropriately.
• Advises Financial Counselor when patients having financial responsibilities present for partial hospital admission.
• Refers patients to Financial Counselor for any guidance regarding co-pays, payment plans, or Applications for Financial Assistance.
• Refers patients to Financial Counselor for collection of payment for copays/deductibles.
• Patient Access Associate Level I staff, if credentialed as a Navigator, will be expected to cover Financial Counselor Level II when the need arises.  Financial Counselor Level 2 will be expected to cover Patient Access Associate Level I staff when the need arises.(refer to both Patient Access Associate Level I and Financial Counselor Level II job descriptions for job duties)
• Works with desktop computer utilizing a variety of programs: AVATAR, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Digital Camera link. Teletracking, Epic, PatientTrak.
• Works with phone system.
• Works with digital camera.
• Works with a variety of office equipment: PC, Copier, Fax, Cordless headset, Cyracom Language Line.
• Answers department telephone, relays messages.
• Maintains positive relationships with collaborating departments conveying an attitude of shared responsibility.
• Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings.
• Attends any department planning meetings as assigned.
• Maintains required competencies through participation in hospital and department training and Net Learning.
• Participates responsibly in supervision and communicates concerns appropriately to department administrators in a constructive and timely manner.
• Attends annual Employee Fair.
• Observes all general hospital and departmental policies, guiding principles, rules and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma and a minimum of two year job-related experience or equivalent is required.
• Certificate of Medical Terminology and strong oral communications skills are required.
• Exceptional patient relation and customer service skills are critical.
• Minimum typing speed of 40 wpm with a working knowledge of personal computers.
• Ability to utilize multiple applications within an environment are required.
• Experience in a medical office or customer service preferred.

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, is a trusted, integrated health care organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.