Patient Access Specialist I

Memorial Health

Posted 3 months ago

Full Time

Springfield, Massachusetts

In Person

Smart Summary

Responsibilities

The Patient Access Specialist manages patient registration, verifies insurance and demographic data, and performs financial collections. They also coordinate mammography scheduling and ensure compliance with JCAHO, HIPAA, and CMS regulations.

Qualifications

You have a high school diploma and at least one year of business office experience, preferably in Patient Access, billing, or collections. You possess strong computer skills for data entry and retrieval, excellent communication, and attention to detail to ensure accurate patient registration and financial information.

Must Have Skills for ATS

medical terminology

CPT coding

ICD-10 CM coding

hospital billing claims

Job Description

Min

USD $16.00/Hr.

Max

USD $23.64/Hr.

Overview

The Patient Access Specialist plays a key role in ensuring that patients have timely and efficient access to hospital and service area resources. This position is responsible for processing patient registration information with high accuracy, including collecting demographic and insurance details and performing financial collections.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Registration and Information Accuracy: Collect and verify patient demographics, insurance information, and financial details. Ensure all registration data is accurate and complete, facilitating the patient’s timely access to services.

  • Compliance and Documentation: Prepare and present legal, ethical, and compliance-related documents, ensuring patients understand and complete all required forms during registration. Maintain knowledge of JCAHO standards, Patient Rights and Responsibilities, HIPAA regulations, and payer requirements.

  • Mammography Screening Scheduling: Provide scheduling services for mammography screenings, following established protocols for insurance, exam type, patient preferences, and urgency.

  • Coordination with Departments: Act as a liaison between Patient Access Services and ancillary departments, facilitating communication and ensuring a smooth flow of information and services for patients.

  • Financial Collections: Perform financial collections, including co-pays and deposits at the point of service. Educate patients regarding billing, insurance coverage, and payment options.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to CMS Conditions of Participation, obtaining necessary signatures (ABN, consent forms) as required by CMS regulations.

  • Cross-Department Collaboration: Support patient care areas as needed, helping ensure timely and accurate documentation for patient services.

  • Other Duties as Assigned: Complete all other duties and special projects as assigned by management to support the department's goals and ensure consistent patient care.

Qualifications

Education

  • High school diploma required

Licensure/Certification/Registry

  • Must successfully complete assigned annual education through Healthcare Business Insights

Experience

  • Minimum of one (1) year of business office experience, preferably in areas such as Patient Access, billing, collections, insurance principles/practices, or accounts receivable

  • Completion of 12 (twelve) hours of coursework in a business or healthcare-related field may be considered in lieu of business office experience

  • Previous experience in Patient Access is highly desirable

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Comprehensive knowledge of tasks performed across various Patient Access Service areas to ensure customer satisfaction and accurate reimbursement

  • Excellent interpersonal and patient relations skills, with the ability to maintain emotional composure and exercise sound judgment in all interactions

  • Working knowledge of computers, including the ability to enter and retrieve data from registration software and other required applications/systems

  • Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to maintain professionalism in high-pressure situations

  • Flexibility and the ability to exercise judgment and initiative, especially in stressful or rapidly changing environments

  • Ability to manage competing priorities independently and effectively

  • Strong negotiation and persuasion skills when educating and communicating with patients and families

  • Knowledge of medical terminology, medical procedural (CPT), and diagnosis (ICD-10 CM) coding, as well as hospital billing claims is preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Education

  • High school diploma required

Licensure/Certification/Registry

  • Must successfully complete assigned annual education through Healthcare Business Insights

Experience

  • Minimum of one (1) year of business office experience, preferably in areas such as Patient Access, billing, collections, insurance principles/practices, or accounts receivable

  • Completion of 12 (twelve) hours of coursework in a business or healthcare-related field may be considered in lieu of business office experience

  • Previous experience in Patient Access is highly desirable

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Comprehensive knowledge of tasks performed across various Patient Access Service areas to ensure customer satisfaction and accurate reimbursement

  • Excellent interpersonal and patient relations skills, with the ability to maintain emotional composure and exercise sound judgment in all interactions

  • Working knowledge of computers, including the ability to enter and retrieve data from registration software and other required applications/systems

  • Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to maintain professionalism in high-pressure situations

  • Flexibility and the ability to exercise judgment and initiative, especially in stressful or rapidly changing environments

  • Ability to manage competing priorities independently and effectively

  • Strong negotiation and persuasion skills when educating and communicating with patients and families

  • Knowledge of medical terminology, medical procedural (CPT), and diagnosis (ICD-10 CM) coding, as well as hospital billing claims is preferred but not required

Memorial Health

Memorial Health is one of the leading healthcare organizations in Illinois—a responsibility we are proud to uphold. Founded in 1897 to meet the expanding needs of our communities, we have assembled an ever-growing team and vast resources. Dedicated to unsurpassed excellence in care, education, and research, our community-based, not-for-profit corporation features a team of nearly 10,000 strong throughout eight state-of-the-art affiliates offering a broad array of vital services. Yet what matters equally is the size of our heart. Our ambitions. And our potential to do bigger and better things. We’re achieving our goals by developing academic alliances with other respected institutions, including the BJC HealthCare Collaborative and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. By earning important credentials and accreditations. By making a real investment in employee development. And by building upon our reputation for excellence on the regional level, with the goal of realizing national prominence.
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