Patient Accounts - Lead Patient Access Coordinator/Financial Counselor

Description

 Lake Butler Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital providing 24-hour emergency services, inpatient and short-term rehab services, outpatient laboratory, and outpatient radiology (X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan) services to Union County and the surrounding counties. We are devoted to providing all members of our community with premier-quality health care in a compassionate and inviting environment. 

We offer employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and paid time off.  We also offer a 401(k)-retirement plan after a one year waiting period. Lake Butler Hospital is an equal-employment-opportunity and drug-free workplace. All offers of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check and pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. 

Job Summary:

Supervise registration functions for patients being processed through the hospital Emergency Room, Outpatient Services and Inpatient Services. Oversees the completion of all indicated paperwork at the time of such visits. Supervise the performance of Patient Access Coordinator/Scheduler to ensure quality and accuracy of data entry related to patients, insurance verifications and telephone duties. Performs registration functions for patients being processed through the hospital for all services. Completes all required paperwork to ensure appropriate financial arrangements and to allow treatment at the time of patient encounter. Performs required data entry relative to patients, insurance verifications and telephone duties. Responsible for scheduling all Outpatient Services to include Rehabilitation, Laboratory, Radiology, CAT scan, Wound Care and Inpatient Services.

Performs regular audits of PAC to ensure the processes are being followed and correct information is collected for the billing office. Working closely with the Revenue Cycle Director and Lead Patient Accounts Collection Specialist to ensure appropriate financial arrangement documentation is completed. Regularly supervise and schedule PAC ensuring coverage for front desk, ER and Outpatient registration desks.

Responsible for interviewing and counseling all private-pay patients upon admission to hospital, either through the Emergency Room, Outpatient, Inpatient or Rural Health Clinic regarding their financial responsibilities of hospital services. Completes financial assessment on all private-pay patients to determine eligibility for Medicaid or Indigent Care programs. Responsible for interviewing and counseling patients with insurance to obtain/verify insurance and collect patient financial responsibility to include payment arrangements if needed in accordance with policy. Makes recommendations regarding Indigent Care qualifications as needed. Welcoming and helpful attitude towards all patients and clients. Perform other duties as required by the Director of Revenue Cycle Management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for the training of all Patient Access Coordinator/Scheduler position.
2. Responsible for staffing and coverage of the Patient Access Coordinator/Scheduler position.
3. Responsible for overseeing the Patient Access Coordinator/Scheduler in the completion of all other necessary paperwork as required (i.e. Promissory Note, Financial Assessment, Billing Policies, Financial Disclosure, Assignment of Benefits, Work-Comp First Visit, Work-Comp Fraudulent Statement, Patient Information Sheet and Financial Agreement).
4. Responsible for overseeing the Patient Access Coordinator/Scheduler in the completion of all other necessary paperwork as required (i.e. Promissory Note, Financial Assessment, Billing Policies, Financial Disclosure, Assignment of Benefits, Work-Comp First Visit, Work-Comp Fraudulent Statement, Patient Information Sheet and Financial Agreement).
5. Responsible for balancing Outpatient Services cash box and ensuring proper security and accountability for hospital cash assets obtained throughout all registration.
6. Responsible for overseeing the completion of financial assessments on all private pay patients and completes H.R.S. paperwork for eligible patients as needed to assist patients in securing for Public Assistance as indicated.  
7. Maintains 100% accuracy on patient demographics, billing information correctly entered/verified at time of check in, payment agreement and financial assessment forms.
8. Ensures verification of all insurances for all Outpatient Services to include Outpatient Surgery patients and Inpatient Services.
9. Responsible for the completion of financial assessments on all private pay patients and completing Department of Children and Family Service (DCF) paperwork for eligible patients as needed to assist patients in securing Public Assistance as indicated or completes paperwork for and determines Health Care Responsibility Act (HCRA) eligibility.
10. Responsible for following patients seeking financial agreements are contacted and monitored for appropriate payment arrangements.
11. Maintains documentation in Patients Account for all communication, correspondence, collection, write off activity.

Requirements

Education: Requires high school diploma or equivalent. Associate degree in business preferred.

Experience: 5 years’ experience related to patient registration and scheduling in a healthcare related field. 2 years of supervisory experience. Insurance and over the counter collections experience required.

Skills: Excellent grammar and communication skills. Strong customer service skills.

Knowledge: Medical terminology required.

Abilities: Excellent grammar and communication skills. Accurate, mature, flexible person who is meticulous to detail. Self-starter. Displays responsibility to confidentiality aspects of medical/financial information. Pleasant attitude in dealing with the public and various levels of staff. Ability to type 45 wpm, use a 10-key calculator. Ability to read and understand the benefits for all insurances. 

OSHA Category: Category II - Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue, but exposure or potential for exposure may occur.

Physical Requirements

Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg control requires exertion of forces greater than that of sedentary work and if the worker sits most of the time, the job is considered light work.

• Exposure to Fumes
• Exposure to Dust
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl (Position self (to), Move)
• Walk (Move, Traverse)
• Stand or Sit (Stationary Position)
• Pushing or Pulling
• Repetitive Motion
• Reaching
• Talk/hear (Communicate, Detect, Converse with, Discern, Convey, Express oneself, Exchange information)
• Use hands/fingers to handle or feel (Operate, Activate, Use, Prepare, Inspect, Place, Detect, Position)
• See (Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Estimate, Assess)

All Lake Butler Hospital employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and federal laws. As Disaster Service Workers, all Lake Butler Hospital employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.