Patient Visit Specialist I

About the role

The Patient Visit Specialist I - Oncology provides a high level of support and customer service for all patients and guests of the Cancer Center. Proactively coordinates the visit registration using all relevant systems and supports the patient visit through personalized attention to contact, referrals, check-in, check-out, and/or follow-up and other guidance to ensure the patient has a positive experience with the process. Assures that patients who are unfamiliar with the Cancer Center are personally guided to their destination and provided a "warm hand-off" to the staff. Works directly with the providers to assure proper coordination of care for each patient. Acts as a point of contact person for providers and staff with any patient scheduling questions or concerns.

Responsibilities

• Performs insurance verification and secures authorization required for any services provided in the Cancer Center.
• Interviews patients and gathers information to assure accurate and timely registration and insurance verification, collecting complete and accurate financial and consent data during intake and registration process.
• Utilizes multiple system applications simultaneously to complete the scheduling, order management, pre-registration and insurance verification processes.
• Verifies insurance coverage using Real Time Eligibility system tool for all scheduled services to facilitate accurate assignment of financial responsibility and claims submission.
• Manages administrator duties in one or more of the following systems: RTLS (Real-Time Location System), WebXchange, Momentum, and The IHA Call Center tool.
• Ensures that visit check-in is carried out efficiently to eliminate wait time when patients arrive onsite through evaluation of upcoming day schedules and contacting patients, as necessary.
• Provides optimal level of customer service and professionally resolves customer issues.
• Affords assistance to guests with any special requests and provides information on patient itinerary for the day and any future appointments.
• Determines appropriate payment required at point of registration.
• Responds to patient questions concerning their scheduled services, registration, insurance eligibility and payment requirements as related to their scheduled services.
• Demonstrates accountability to follow-up with patients concerning requests for information or action regarding their appointment and/or account.
• Interprets information collected to determine and create comprehensive patient and visit-specific registration and billing records.
• Provides information to patients concerning hospital policies and regulatory requirements utilizing effective interpersonal and guest-relations skills.
• Reviews, analyzes and corrects report entries to ensure accurate scheduling and registration, and makes sure insurance and billing requirements are met prior to services being rendered.
• Schedules Research patients per research protocol and ensures patient is seen within the research protocol.
• Schedules and coordinates surgery for gynecologic oncology patients.
• With full understanding of timing and sequencing needed for each, has responsibility for scheduling and coordination of: Office and infusion appointments; Treatment teaching; Port placement with Interventional Radiology (IR); Internal and external referrals.
• Baselines ECHOs with Michigan Heart before, during and after treatment; All Radiology testing and IR testing (CTs, MRIs, PET scans, paracentesis, thoracentesis, CT guided biopsies, etc.); Bone marrow biopsies with Special Hematology and Infusion Center; and Chemo and direct admits with Providers.
• Responds to problems and questions from the hospital and various departments.
• Identifies opportunities to improve the quality of scheduling, registration and/or verification processes.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED. Course work in insurance/billing, medical practice education or seminars are all preferred.
• Credentials/Licenses: None.
• Experience: Two years of experience in a medical or physician office or comparable healthcare environment.

Skills

• Service-oriented; responsive to customer needs and courteous in approach.
• Proficient in operating a standard desktop and Windows-based computer system, including but not limited to, electronic medical records, Microsoft Word /Excel/Outlook/Teams, intranet and computer navigation.
• Proficient/knowledgeable in patient care procedures and organizational policies related to position responsibilities.
• Excellent written (legible), verbal and face-to-face communication skills, including proper phone etiquette.
• Computational skills.
• Knowledge of medical terminology to perform position responsibilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment; displays professional and friendly demeanor.
• Ability to work effectively with various levels of organizational members and diverse populations including IHA staff, Providers, patients, family members, vendors, outside customers and couriers.
• Ability to cross-train in other areas of practice in order to achieve smooth flow of all operations.
• Good organizational and time management skills to effectively juggle multiple priorities and time constraints.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle patient and organizational information in a confidential manner.
• Team-player abilities and seamless service to patients.
• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships.
• Approaches conflict in a constructive manner.
• Helps to identify problems, offer solutions and participate in their resolution.