Patient Access Specialist

Primary location: Rapid City, SD USA

About the role

It starts with heart. As a Patient Access Specialist I at Monument Health, you can begin your healthcare career with no experience necessary. You will be valued as an essential team member providing compassionate patient-focused care. You will discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, mutual respect, and—most importantly—a life-changing career. You will make a difference every day.

As a Patient Access Specialist I, you are responsible for the integrity of all front-end patient access and registration functions, including support of excellent patient care and seamless revenue cycle processes. You are the first person our patients see each time they enter the facility or department. You are a trusted resource to provide service excellence to all patients, families, physicians, clinicians, and internal departments.

Our vision at Monument Health is to be one team, to listen, to be inclusive, and to show we care. To do the right thing. Every time.

Responsibilities

• Accurately collect demographics, confirm patient identity, guarantor assignment, and coverage information and verification from patients or informants, including obtaining necessary documents for check-in or admission in various patient settings (phone, letters, face-to-face, bedside).
• Assist in achieving the strategic objectives of Monument Health by following Revenue Cycle guidelines, including participating in quality assurance and improvement activities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of payer information and benefits, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers, as well as third-party liability payers.
• Perform point-of-service collections, including prepayments, outstanding balances, co-payment, and co-insurance; daily reconciliation of cash drawer. Provide patients with basic account reconciliation.
• Initiate financial clearance by providing patients with cost estimates for scheduled services. Escalate financial clearance needs on behalf of the patient as appropriate.
• Review and understand authorization and referral records to confirm financial clearance.
• Educate patients and maintain regulatory compliance by distributing and/or obtaining required forms and signatures, including consents for treatment, financial agreements, ABN/waivers, and other regulatory forms.
• Perform business office duties, including handling incoming phone calls and messages, in-basket messaging, patient communications, intra-departmental communications, scanning/faxes, taxi vouchers, mail distribution, lost and found, safe and valuables, and other duties as assigned.
• Provide service excellence, including way-finding and reception. Interact with customers in a friendly and caring way, being attentive to both emotional and physical needs. Maintain communication to provide a secure and pleasant experience.
• Obtain referrals and order transcription, as applicable to the service area.
• Perform patient scheduling and check-out, including pre-arrival management for upcoming services, managing and monitoring patient waitlists and recall lists per protocols.
• Maintain registration-related work queues, including ongoing resolution of errors. Demonstrate working knowledge of the electronic medical record, including advanced directives, release of information, and patient portal proxy forms. Educate patients on the basic purpose and regulations of these tools.
• Address account inquiries, resolve or escalate inquiries as appropriate.
• Work beyond normal scheduled shifts as required to provide the highest quality of care to patients, complying with Monument Health's Attendance Policy.
• Perform patient movement activities in the electronic medical record.
• Arrange patient transportation and other enabling services.
• Assist the clinical care team as needed, including providing transport in cooperation with clinical team direction.
• Attend all mandatory education, compliance, and safety program sessions.
• Comply with all current and future policies and procedures and report directly to the supervisor.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent.
• Preferred: 1+ years of customer service experience, 1+ years of patient relations experience, or 1+ years of medical patient accounts/financial services experience.
• Ability to work assigned schedules and hours as determined by the department.

Physical Requirements

• Medium work: exerting up to 10 pounds of force constantly (67-100% of the time), and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently (34-66% of the time), and/or up to 50 pounds of force occasionally (up to 33% of the time).
• Possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissues.

Pay

Starting pay rate range: $17.27 - $19.85 (determined by the knowledge, skills, and experience of the applicant).

Benefits

• Supportive work culture.
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Retirement plans, health savings account, and flexible spending account.
• Instant pay for qualifying positions.
• Paid time off accrual bank.
• Opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Tuition assistance/reimbursement.
• Excellent pay differentials on qualifying positions.
• Flexible scheduling.

Schedule

Scheduled weekly hours: 40