Patient Access Coordinator

Job Summary

The Patient Access Coordinator at North Mississippi Health Services supports the organization's financial health by managing daily activities related to insurance information, point of service collections, and financial arrangements. This role requires an experienced individual with excellent analytical, organizational, and communications skills to manage demographic and insurance information, resolve real-time edits and denials, and interface effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Scheduling/Rescheduling, pre-certifying, checking medical necessity, and pre-registering patients for appointments, diagnostic tests, and outpatient procedures as ordered by referring providers.
• Obtaining necessary information required for scheduling, pre-certification, and pre-registration.
• Obtaining and/or verifying patient demographics, insurance information/eligibility, and benefits.
• Informing patients and/or clinical staff of proper preparation and instructions for tests ordered.
• Notifying patients of appointment details, test, and/or procedure locations and times.
• Effectively communicating NMHS' organizational revenue cycle and financial policies to patients and patient representatives.
• Providing bedside registration to obtain consent form signatures, collect insurance, and other pertinent information for accurate medical record data entry.
• Ensuring timely and accurate processing of accounts in accordance with best practices, defined workflows, procedures, and applicable legislation/regulations.
• Maintaining familiarity with payer methodologies to ensure accurate estimates are communicated with patients and system variances are communicated with leadership.
• Maintaining familiarity with payer methodologies to ensure accurate estimates are communicated with patients and system variances are communicated with leadership.
• Managing expected reimbursement to ensure appropriate patient portion is collected prior to service.
• Developing strategy for partnering with business office to ensure estimates and transparency are accurate.
• Analyzing estimate variances to understand where/why deviations occurred.
• Identifying trends and reporting potential significant and recurring issues along with possible solutions to leadership.
• Taking proactive, corrective action through systematic and procedural development to reduce incoming denials.
• Contacting insurance companies, patients, and providers regarding authorizations, medical necessity, and financial responsibility.
• Serving as liaison between payers and hospital departments/physician offices or patients in resolving front-end errors which would result in denials.
• Aids in preparation of monthly error reports and other error reports as requested.
• Aids in preparation of monthly collections reports and other collection reports as requested.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.
• Licenses and Certifications: Not specified.
• Experience: 1-3 years. Experience/knowledge of managed care reimbursement methodology including ICD-10, CPT-4 and/or HCPCS and DRGs. Patient Access, Claims, Billing/Follow Up, or Revenue Cycle experience preferred.
• Skills: Working knowledge of Registration systems, Medicare/Medicaid/Third Party Liability/Workers Compensation requirements; Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook); Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations relating to registering accounts and collecting at point of service; Excellent negotiating and analytical skills; Strong verbal and written communication skills; Excellent interpersonal skills; Effectively and efficiently prioritizes and organizes tasks; Provides supervision to direct reports; Develops, implements/evaluates projects (timely & efficient manner); Evaluates and provides coaching for all employees within the scope of responsibility; Ensures accurate and timely collection of all appropriate patient estimates; Ensures effective monetary management of Deposits; Ensures timely and accurate processing of accounts in accordance with best practices, defined workflows, procedures, and applicable legislature/ regulations; Gathers and relays information with knowledge, tact, and diplomacy; Experiences daily contact with co-workers, patients, payers, and other NMHS/NMMC staff members; Exhibits strong written and verbal communication skills; Reflects a positive, caring attitude toward clients, patients, staff, and the public we serve; Evaluates and coaches reporting employees to accomplish major goals and objectives; Develops, implements/evaluates projects in a timely & efficient manner; Physical Demands: Standing, Walking, Sitting, Lifting/Carrying, Pushing/Pulling, Climbing, Stooping/Kneeling/Bending, Reaching/Over Head Work, Grasping, Speaking, Hearing, Repetitive Motions, Eye/Hand/Foot Coordinations; Benefits: Available, Continuing Education, 403B Retirement Plan with Employer Match Contributions, Pet, Identity Theft and Legal Services Insurance, Wellness Programs and Incentives, Referral Bonuses, Employee Assistance Program, Medical Benefits, Dental Benefits, Vision Benefits, License + Certification Reimbursement, Life, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability, Group Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Employee Discount Program, Other: Early Access to Earned Wages, Tuition Assistance, Relocation Assistance, Paid Time Away, Special Employee Rates at NMMC Wellness Centers.