What are the responsibilities and job description for the Patient Access Lead position at UnityPoint Health?
- Area of Interest: Patient Services
- FTE/Hours per pay period: 1.0
- Department: Patient Access
- Shift: Primarily M-F 5:30p-2a, Rotating Weekends and Holidays as needed
- Job ID: 172750
Patient Access Lead
Full Time; Primarily 5:30p-2a M-F, with rotating on call, varied hours as needed
A Lead Admitting Tech is responsible for overseeing daily registration and appointment processes as outlined by UPH-Marshalltown registration standards and policies. This position includes monitoring staffing needs, delegating work, account denials/error management, resolving patient issues, and POS collections. Additional responsibilities include working collaboratively with Patient Access Supervisor and Manager, Patient Access Leads, Outpatient/Scheduling staff, Physicians, Physician offices, and UPH-Marshalltown ancillary departments.
Why UnityPoint Health?
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities
Departmental Support
- Actively involved with overseeing Patient Access staff registration and appointment scheduling processes while adhering to UPH Registration standards.
- Primary resource for Patient Access department. Will assist UPH-Marshalltown Patient Access staff when on weekend call rotation.
- Assists with new employee selection process, orientation, disciplinary guidance, and ongoing training support for staff.
- Will assist in managing staffing fte's and department expenses to remain at, or below budget.
- Weekend and Holiday "on call" rotation.
- Will prepare and oversee UPH-Marshalltown Patient Access schedule and staffing needs.
- Will partake in regularly scheduled Lead meetings to discuss issues, concerns, and department opportunities.
- Correctly enters patient demographic, insurance information, and obtains signatures on all required forms (Conditions of Admissions, Important Message from Medicare, Self-pay Restricted, Release of information, ABN), as necessary for hospital billing.
- Responsible for obtaining physician orders, scanning orders and/or transcribing them into EPIC/Paragon when required.
- Verifies insurance eligibility within EPIC/Paragon and accessing on-line resources. Reads return responses to ensure active coverage on the account for the date of service.
- Confirms if an insurance authorization is required per insurance specific requirements and will enter auth/precert number in the appropriate EPIC/Paragon field.
- Maintains competency using EPIC estimator tool for all contracted insurance plans to ensure maximum financial reimbursement for the health system.
- Collects the self-pay portion of a patient’s out of pocket expenses at the time of registration and provides receipt of payment to the patient or other responsible party.
- Post payment to account and balance cash drawer at the end of each shift to ensure cash, checks and payments made by credit card are accounted for.
- Works collaboratively as a team to meet defined monthly UPH Point of Service collection goals.
- Proficient with hospital billing workques to resolve timely.
- Identifies patients who are self-pay status or those who may need financial counseling assistance and refers them to Patient Financial Coordinator.
- Places patients, customers and other individuals that we service as a top priority.
- Places organization / department needs ahead of personal conveniences (breaks / lunches).
- Takes accountability for completing work functions in a timely manner and audits own work for accuracy and completion.
- Completes cross-training in all areas of the department / campus and willingly moves to the area of the department where most needed including cross campus locations.
- Demonstrates a willingness to meet the department work schedule and willingly picks up additional shifts when necessary.
- Uses good judgment in making decisions and demonstrates this with diplomacy.
- Completes other job functions in between registrations to maximize productivity.
- Participates in performance improvement initiatives and demonstrates initiative to improve quality and customer services with a goal to exceed customer expectations.
- Uses AIDET principles to greet patients and visitors in a positive and courteous manner and will determine the need for assistance with directions, escort, or transport services.
- Remains sensitive and empathetic to patients, relatives, and guests who may be using non-verbal curs to express their feelings or needs.
- Answers questions about the registration process and provides information to others as needed.
- Anticipate the need to assist co-workers and adapt to staff coverage in any registration area or site.
- Proficient with Hospital Billing and Professional Billing workques, as well as denial management opportunities.
- Responsible for overseeing patient workques to insure accounts worked timely and accurately, and will delegate to staff appropriately.
- Provide additional registration/billing training when denial trends are identified.
Required:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- 1 year Front desk experience in hospital and/or medical office setting
- Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.
- Associates Degree or related Medical field certificate/degree.
- Insurance billing. Medical terminology. Hospital registration/scheduling experience.
- Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons
