Patient Access Associate

About the role

The Patient Access Associate position at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is a full-time, non-exempt role located at 16655 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land TX, 77479.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
• Experience: Two years of experience in a strong customer service environment; one year of registration experience in a hospital environment preferred
• Skills and Abilities: Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations; sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language; ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers; ability to multi-task and flexibility to meet the requirements of the patients and the department; knowledge of basic registration/access functions and insurance procedures; ability to problem solve; ability to remain calm in stressful situations with patience and understanding; excellent customer service and professional communication skills; proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs; ability to handle detail work accurately and rapidly

Essential Functions

• People Essential Functions: Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal departmental and organizational results; communicates openly in a non-judgmental manner and in a professional demeanor during all interactions with customers and co-workers.
• Service Essential Functions: Obtains and records accurate demographic and insurance information on patients by interviewing patients, family members and physicians. Ensures that the correct insurance plan codes are utilized for the billing process. Explains the consent forms, obtains signatures on the forms and responds to any questions in a professional manner. Contributes to departmental and hospital patient experience. Proactively seeks solutions to address patient issues and concerns. Alerts management in a timely manner to any unusual and/or difficult situations impacting the level of service.
• Quality/Safety Essential Functions: Consistently takes the necessary steps to ensure that protected health information remains private and confidential, according to established HIPAA guidelines. Uses patient identifiers consistently to properly identify patients and the correct medical records. Refrains from issuing new medical record numbers to patients with existing accounts. Meets goals set by the department (e.g., registration error rate, productivity/activities per hour, etc.).
• Finance Essential Functions: Ensures that ordered services meet established medical necessity criteria when applicable. Collects payments based on pre-determined information. Performs insurance verification to determine patient out of pocket expenses for services. If applicable, offers payment options after the minimum required payment has been received. Fulfills monthly goals for cash collection. Accurately posts and receipts patient payments. Balances cash drawer on a daily basis; follows the department policy related to cash drawers and cash receipting.
• Growth/Innovation Essential Functions: Displays initiative to improve job functions. Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility during changing demands. Offers suggestions to streamline process for efficient patient flow.

Supplemental Requirements

• Work Attire: Uniform: Yes; Scrubs: No; Business professional: Yes; Other (department approved): Yes
• On Call*: No
• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No

Company Profile

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is committed to leading medicine by delivering the Houston Methodist standard of unparalleled quality, safety, service and innovation to patients in Fort Bend County and surrounding areas. Houston Methodist Sugar Land offers access to the most innovative care available, including comprehensive cancer care; neuroscience and spine care; orthopedics and sports medicine; heart and vascular care; women’s services; childbirth center with level III NICU; bariatric and digestive care; and advanced imaging — all backed by our focus on healing people today and offering hope for tomorrow.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.