Procedure Scheduler

About the Role

Pulmonary Medicine Associates (PMA) has been treating patients in the greater Sacramento area for over 50 years and is a unique and exciting place to work. With specialties that include Critical Care, Infectious Disease, Palliative Care, Pulmonology, Pediatric Pulmonology, and Sleep Medicine, we are a busy practice with over 80 providers and 2 outpatient clinic locations. PMA currently has a Procedure Scheduling position available at our Sacramento clinic.

Responsibilities

• Schedule pulmonary procedures, diagnostic testing, and follow-up appointments according to physician orders and clinical protocols.
• Obtain and track insurance authorizations and referrals for procedures, diagnostic testing, and specialty services.
• Verify insurance benefits, eligibility, and authorization requirements.
• Submit authorization requests to insurance companies and follow up to ensure timely approval.
• Monitor authorization status and maintain accurate documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Coordinate procedures with hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging facilities, pulmonary function laboratories, and other outside facilities as needed.
• Communicate with patients regarding procedure dates, preparation instructions, required referrals, insurance requirements, and pre-procedure appointments.
• Ensure required clinical documentation, orders, test results, and medical records are available prior to scheduled procedures.
• Identify authorization or scheduling issues that may delay patient care and escalate them appropriately.
• Reschedule procedures when necessary and communicate changes promptly to patients, providers, and facility staff.
• Work closely with providers, nurses, medical assistants, referral coordinators, and front-office staff to facilitate efficient patient care.
• Maintain accurate scheduling and authorization records while protecting patient confidentiality.
• Follow payer requirements, practice policies, and applicable healthcare regulations.
• Perform other front office tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two years related work experience in a medical environment preferred.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of medical billing procedures and HMO/PPO insurance programs.
• Excellent phone etiquette and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer service skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, patients and the general public.
• Strong detail orientation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to work independently and juggle multiple priorities.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person and on the telephone to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with patients, families, physicians, staff, and other customers.
• Must be able to accurately type 45 WPM.
• Valid California driver's license and automobile insurance.
• Ability to drive to different clinics and run occasional errands.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Must be able to work in a climate controlled, office environment.
• Sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read and write in order to process paperwork.
• Manual dexterity needed for keyboarding and other repetitive office tasks.
• Vision must be good or corrected to normal to perform normal job duties.
• Hearing must be good to have the ability to understand information to perform job duties.