Patient Access Rep I

Patient Access Rep I - located off of Graham Rd. Schedule: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday. No weekends or holidays. This is a benefit-eligible, front desk position focused on patient registration.

About the Role

BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, delivering services primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois, and southeast Missouri regions. With net revenues of $6.3 billion and over 30,000 employees, BJC serves patients and families across urban, suburban, and rural communities through 14 hospitals and multiple community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care, and hospice.

BJC is the largest provider of charity care, unreimbursed care, and community benefits in Missouri, contributing $785.9 million annually in community benefit, including $410.6 million in charity care and financial assistance. Additional community benefits include research, emergency preparedness, regional health care safety net services, health literacy, community outreach, and economic development.

Patients have access to advanced medical science and technology through a formal affiliation between Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and the Washington University School of Medicine, a top-ranked medical school.

The Patient Access Representative is often the first point of contact for patients and must represent BJC with exceptional customer service, compassion, and professionalism. This role facilitates all aspects of a patient’s entry into any BJC facility, requiring high emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and the ability to connect personally with patients. The position significantly impacts reimbursement levels and denial prevention through accurate collection of demographics, insurance verification, and point-of-service payments. Correctly identifying patients in the Master Person Index (MPI) is critical for patient safety.

Responsibilities

• Utilize critical thinking to problem-solve various situations, anticipate patient needs, and respond appropriately.
• Communicate professionally and positively with patients, families, and coworkers in person, over the phone, or via computer to ensure a positive patient experience, maximize reimbursements, and minimize denials.
• Ensure the integrity of patients' clinical, financial, and billing records by accurately selecting the correct Master Patient Index (MPI).
• Perform hospital registration and scheduling within multiple BJC systems, ensuring proper patient identification, insurance verification, document scanning, and retrieval.
• Validate that orders are complete, signed by the ordering provider, and that the correct test is ordered, maintaining meticulous attention to detail for accurate patient records.
• Provide patients with preparation instructions for scheduled procedures, educate them on financial responsibilities, and collect applicable payments.
• Understand, articulate, and enforce compliance with complex regulatory guidelines, including Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP), HIPAA Privacy Standards, Patient Bill of Rights, Advance Directives, Consent to Treat, EMTALA, and JCAHO Requirements.
• Ensure each patient completes HIPAA acknowledgment.

This is a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness and safe work practices.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (required).
• No prior experience required.
• Associate’s Degree (preferred).
• Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) certification (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of insurance carriers, Medicare guidelines, and federal, state, and accreditation agency requirements.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to maintain a friendly, professional demeanor.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and legal services available on the first day of the month after hire.
• Disability insurance paid for by BJC.
• Annual 4% BJC Automatic Retirement Contribution.
• 401(k) plan with BJC match.
• Tuition assistance available from the first day.
• Access to the BJC Institute for Learning and Development.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid Time Off combining vacation, sick days, holidays, and personal time.
• Adoption assistance.