Front Office Medical Secretary

Job Summary: Performs function of receiving patients at area windows, answers the telephone, and schedules appointments; relays messages from patient to nurse, checks insurance eligibility and collects patient co-payments. Scans collected data into the electronic medical record (EMR). Prepares encounters forms with collected monies and supporting documentation and submits to the Finance Department on a daily basis. Report directly to the Front Office Supervisor.

Essential Duties

Greet each patient, family member or visitor in a courteous and professional manner whether in person or over the telephone. Distribute, collect and verify patient encounter forms are accurately completed and entered information into the EMR system each visit. Schedule patient initial and follow-up appointments as directed.  Verify, update and scan patient demographics into the EMR each visit. Verify patient insurance each visit and collect and scan patient insurance cards into the EMR. Collect and enter patient co-payment/monies in the appropriate area each visit. Collected monies with associated encounters as supporting documentation will be submitted to Finance daily from each clinical site. Make sure past due balances collected are posted appropriately. Notify finance of bad debt write off collection at front window. Notify finance of a returned check made good through cash replacement. Make sure explanation of patients past due balance is explained on EMR. Notify finance of all errors n a patient’s account. Make sure all accounts that need to be merged are given to Front Office Supervisor. Supervisor will delete any payments that are deemed necessary. Will make sure all patient or doctor office requests for medical records are mailed or faxed within the given time frame.  Responsible for maintaining and accounting of all monies in petty cash box. Responsible to review all sliding scale forms for accuracy when received and submit to the appropriate staff member. Fax all forms of insurance to finance. Attend all required training and scheduled meetings. Call patient the day before an appointment for confirmation. Performs other related duties and projects in a dependable, cooperative, “team spirit” manner as tasks are assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities:

Must possess strong communicative and interpersonal skills for working with staff and clients. Possess the ability to manage information security systems and computer literate. Knowledge of clinical and office policies and procedures. Must possess a high degree of integrity and trustworthiness and the ability to work independently. Have knowledge of the HIPAA security rule and other related laws. 

Education:       

Certified Medical Assistant, medical coding a plus. Previous experience preferred but not required.