Patient Accts Rep Amb

About the role

Under general supervision and according to established credit policies and procedures, you will interview and register patients for Emergency/Trauma Center or Ambulatory treatment. Responsibilities include obtaining demographic, third-party insurance, and related financial information, entering data into an online computer system, completing third-party documentation, discussing existing balances for previous hospital services, and making preliminary determinations on welfare eligibility. You will also request cash deposits approximating charges for scheduled services or co-insurance, arrange payment terms, and contact a Patient Accounts Advocate when applicable. Additionally, you will determine eligibility for free services as necessary.

Brown University Health employees are expected to role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Employees must also demonstrate core Success Factors: Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate.

Responsibilities

• Complete Hill-Burton application for patients lacking adequate health insurance coverage, following established criteria for uncompensated hospital services. Require patient to sign a statement of financial responsibility.
• Assist patients in applying for welfare coverage if no coverage is obtained or if they cannot pay. Determine eligibility for Rhode Island Hospital free service for clinic visits using a sliding scale based on established guidelines.
• Advise the Senior Patient Advocate of patients lacking health insurance coverage and/or sufficient income to reimburse the hospital.
• Complete documentation to initiate commercial insurance, Workers’ Compensation, and/or CHAMPUS claims.
• Verify third-party insurance plan numbers and benefit levels. Document all obtained information in PMAS accounting notes. Contact insurance carriers for treatment authorization and co-payment information.
• Obtain authorization for treatment from health maintenance organizations and verify coverage as needed.
• Discuss existing hospital account balances and arrange payment schedules. Request evidence of coverage or payment ranging from partial to full cost for clinic visits or treatment series. Require completion of financial information to arrange payments when patients cannot pay the full amount.
• Complete lien forms and note in PMAS accounting files upon determining a liability claim exists.
• Collect cash/credit card payments for Outpatient/Emergency/Trauma services when possible. Post payments to specific general ledger accounts and prepare bank deposits for pickup by the cashier twice daily.
• Determine priority of health insurance coverage.
• Register all patients online by entering appropriate data into the computer system. Emboss identification cards to initiate or update patient hospital records.
• In ambulatory registration, register patients for PAC Operating Room, clinics, and ancillary areas. Take APC Operating Room bookings and initiate charge vouchers for outpatient procedures.
• In Emergency Department registration, notify appropriate security agencies of emergency treatments resulting from assaults, gunshot wounds, animal bites, accidents, and similar incidents, according to Rhode Island State Department of Health regulations.
• Follow up on third-party documentation from private physician offices and other hospital off-hour ancillary areas.

Requirements

• High school diploma with additional math and computer courses.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills to obtain patient information and interact effectively with the public.
• Persuasive collection techniques and ability to tactfully set payment arrangement terms and collect money.
• Full knowledge of third-party health insurance claims processing, coverage, and documentation requirements.
• Math skills and ability to operate an online computer terminal.
• Knowledge of Accounting Department patient billing systems.
• Six to twelve months of previous clerical support experience, preferably in a high-volume clinic setting.
• Previous experience with online data entry systems.

Work Environment

Working conditions are generally good, with little discomfort due to noise, heat, or dust. No supervisory responsibility is required.

Pay

Pay Range: $21.90 - $22.91 per hour

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM