Patient Care Coordinator

About the role

Under direct supervision, serves as the patient’s medical liaison among the practice, hospital, support services, and payors. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job, learns how to appropriately apply department procedures and policies, and escalates issues to the supervisor for guidance. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, including the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.

Responsibilities

• Prior to a patient’s first appointment, contacts or meets with the patient to obtain basic chart information (diagnosis, referring physician, personal data, insurance, etc.), asks about medical style to match with a network physician, and inquires about family, medical, and social services needs.
• Coordinates physician referrals, schedules oncology-related medical appointments within and outside the practice, resolves insurance billing and coding issues, and contacts agencies; ensures accurate documents are in the medical chart.
• Performs insurance verification and eligibility, assesses patient financial requirements, educates patients on insurance benefits and co-payments, and obtains pre-authorization of services; maintains accurate patient demographics and may assist with obtaining financial resources.
• Provides educational materials to patients and families; updates, orders, and maintains patient education materials including brochures, videos, and teaching materials.
• Refers patients or family members to agencies and services such as housing, transportation, pharmaceutical needs, beauty supplies (wigs), prosthesis, counseling, etc.; networks within the community to maintain an agency and services resource list.
• Researches and responds to routine inquiries in a timely and professional manner; requests assistance from more senior coworkers and the supervisor to resolve non-routine issues.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required; some college preferred.
• At least two years of directly related experience such as medical coding or billing, patient advocate, or social services required.
• Must demonstrate the ability to verbally articulate information and questions effectively and be personable.
• Proficiency with computer systems, medical billing systems, and Microsoft Office Outlook and Word required.

Physical demands

Regularly required to sit or stand and talk or hear. Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment

Work is performed in a clinical environment and requires frequent interaction with staff, patients, and the public. May require minimal travel by automobile to other USON buildings.