GENERAL SUMMARY AND PURPOSE:
Greets patients and family members, obtains, and verifies demographic, clinical, financial, and insurance information during the (pre)-registration process, accepts point of service payments or provides guidance for payment options, and clears the patient for service delivery.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Associate degree in Accounting or Business Administration preferred.
Prior work experience performing customer service activities within a hospital or clinic environment, an insurance company, managed care organization or other health care financial setting preferred.
Knowledge of insurance and governmental programs, regulations, and billing processes and/or managed care contracts and coordination of benefits preferred.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Knows, understands, incorporates, and demonstrates the Organization's Mission, Vision, and Values in behaviors, practices, and decisions.
Verifies patient identification, demographic information, and insurance coverage.
Accepts point of service payments.
Enters patient information accurately into appropriate hospital information system(s).
Refers patients with questions regarding financial liability to appropriate resource(s).
Accepts medical authorization or referral forms, if appropriate.
Processes key documents to facilitate obtaining insurance information.
Provides payment estimates for out of pocket costs.
Educates patients/families on the use of registration kiosks or online systems.
Identifies routine issues and escalates to Supervisor, Patient Access.
Processes insurance claim forms.
Reviews claims/accounts for complete information, corrects and completes forms to ensure accuracy.
Accesses information and translates data into information acceptable to the claims processing system.
Prepares claims for return to provider/subscriber if additional information is needed.
Maintains all appropriate claim files and follows up on suspended or outstanding claims.
Identifies, researches, and resolves issues related to coordination of benefits, subrogation, and general inquiry issues, then communicates the results.
Identifies routine payer or provider issues and escalates to Lead Patient Financial Services Representative.
Acts as a point of contact for assigned payers.
Maintains compliance with HIPAA and other regulatory requirements throughout all activities. Protects the safety of patient information by verifying patient identity to preserve the integrity of the patient record and ensures all records are complete, accurate, and unique to one patient.
Performs pre-registration, insurance verification and financial clearance activities in a variety of settings and for multiple patient types. Communicates frequently with patients/family members/guarantors, and physicians or their office staff in the deployment of key activities.
Interviews patients to collect data, initiates electronic medical records, validates and enters data related to procedures, tests and diagnoses. Determines need for appropriate service authorizations (pre-certifications, third-party authorizations, referrals) and contacts physicians and Care Management/Utilization Review personnel, as needed.
Obtains and verifies the accuracy and completeness of physician orders for tests and procedures, which includes name, date of birth, diagnosis, procedure, date, and physician signature to minimize risk to hospital reimbursement. Accurately uses the patient search feature to find the correct patient information and disseminates data to clinical systems for patient care. Identifies required forms or templates based on the types of services patients will receive.
Performs insurance eligibility/benefit verification utilizing EDI transactions and payer web access and calls payers directly. Documents information within the patient accounting system through insurance eligibility/benefit verification. Refers accounts identified as self-pay to benefit advocacy resources. Conducts data search of manuals, physician systems, previous accounts or payment source history, when appropriate.
Provides financial information and patient payment options. Informs patient/guarantor of liabilities and collects appropriate patient liabilities, including co-payments, co-insurances, deductibles, deposits and outstanding balances at the point of pre-registration or point of service. Documents payments/actions in the patient accounting system and provides the patient with a patient estimate of out of pocket costs and a payment receipt in the collection of funds. Acquires necessary documents including patient identification, insurance cards, consent for treatment, assignment of benefits, release of information, waivers, ABNs, advance directives, etc. Identifies need for patient/guarantor signature based on patient encounter/visit. Scans appropriate documents.
Provides information and assistance to patients, family members and visitors in a courteous, professional, and empathetic manner ensuring timely, efficient customer service in a fast paced, high energy environment. Communicates with various ancillary departments to ensure smooth patient flow and high data integrity.
Cross trains in various functions to assist in the timely delivery of department services. Performs routine duties relating to patient placement, reservation duties, which includes responsibility for bed assignments, transfers, and providing functional guidance as necessary.
Interprets data, draws conclusions, and reviews findings with Lead Patient Access Concierge for further review.
Takes initiative to continuously learn all aspects of Patient Access Concierge role to support progressive responsibility.
Other duties as needed and assigned by the manager.
Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, Trinity Health’s Organizational Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, as well as other policies and procedures to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical, and professional behavior.
Colleagues of Saint Alphonsus Health System enjoy competitive compensation with a full benefits package and opportunity for growth throughout SAHS and Trinity Health!
Saint Alphonsus and Trinity Health are committed to promoting diversity in its workforce and to providing an inclusive work environment where everyone is treated with fairness, dignity and respect. We are committed to recruit and retain a diverse staff reflective of the communities we serve. Saint Alphonsus and Trinity Health are equal opportunity employers and prohibit discrimination against any individual with regard to race, color, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.