Patient Access Officer - Sakina

Job DescriptionResponsible for ensuring appropriate and accurate registration of all patients obtaining services at the facility utilizing the facility's registration system; ensuring all insurance benefits, eligibility and pre-certification and/or authorizations are obtained to meet individual payer payment authorization protocols prior to the date of service. Generating, monitoring and reviewing daily cash receipts, registration reports and patient collections. Also responsible for handling routine patient inquiries related to the admission process, insurance verification, financial counseling, financial assistance and billing.ResponsibilitiesRegistration and verificationAccurately obtaining and entering demographic, financial and insurance data into the system for all registered patients using appropriate codesIdentifying and assigning correct medical record numbersAssisting in verifying eligibility for insurance patients as requiredCommunicating with physician offices, utilization review and other entities to secure additional needed information to expedite verification and/or notification process.Preparing admissions packets, obtaining required signatures and copies of ID’S from patients and/or their qualified personal representatives (QPR)Financial counseling, financial assistance and billingProviding deposit quotes to patients and physicians offices; when applicable, collecting payments prior to admissionAdvising patients of unpaid accounts; requesting any additional information required for resolution of open balances; based on facility guidelines extending payment arrangements to eligible patientsMonitoring timely and thoroughly in-house patients with outstanding balances, including bad debtSecuring financial records to include patient’s facility payment history and a financial statement to determine the most appropriate means of account resolutionDocumenting patient’s account in appropriate system fields with all pertinent and unique information related to any potential issue(s) that could result in service delays or cancellations due to the lack of financial clearanceCommunicating any actions taken or resolutions achieved to all parties involved; physicians, patients and service areasGenerating cash receipts and ensuring accurate accounting of daily receiptsReportingProviding statistical data and reporting on monthly and adhoc basis for management and key departments as per instruction from Manager/Senior OfficerAssisting the Manager/Senior Officer in monitoring the quality of the work produced in the department; providing feedback and coordinating with training, as needed, to ensure that accounts are properly securedProviding customer service and supportHandling all internal and external customers using departmental/organizational values and standardsPromoting a customer oriented philosophy of facilityMaintaining positive working relationships using courteous and professional techniques to establish and maintain a rapport with patients, physicians and various facility personnel either via telephone or during face to face interactionAssisting with positive resolution of issues that arise between patients/families and the healthcare teamCommunicating directly with physicians, patients and other management personnel in resolving issues and concernsEnsuring timely response and resolution of queriesEnsuring financial counseling and collection is performedApprising the team of changes or additions in the departmental/sectional policies and procedures as needed post approval of managementEnsuring that the confidentiality of patient information throughout the department/section by proper disposal of confidential information and by limiting access to staff on a “need to know basis”Managing external relationsServing as a liaison with sister services and external contactsManaging the daily operations of the departmentProcessing the day to day operations within the patient access section/departmentPreparing work schedules and distributing the work as needed to meet the operational priorities of the departmentArranging work assignments in an efficient manner, for maximum utilization of time and resourcesAlerting management promptly of any problems/issues related to the accomplishment of work assignmentsAssisting the Manager/Senior Officer distributing new patients to the staff as neededPerforming special research and analysis, and conducting special projects, with attention to detail and within designated timeframes, as directed by managementReporting behavior that appears to be inconsistent with high ethical standards as well as the lawParticipating in departmental process improvement activitiesExhibiting flexibility in working with new processesFollowing through, in a timely manner, on all action steps requested by the Supervisor or DirectorActing as back up in the absence of Manager/Senior OfficerAssisting in any other relevant task that may be assignedContributing to team effortParticipating in cross-fun