Job Description

Employment Type: Full time

Shift:

Description: The Patient Access Representative greets patients/family members and obtains and/or verifies demographic, clinical, financial and insurance information in the process of registering patients for service delivery, including the entry of patient/guarantor information in the patient accounting system, collection of patient signatures on all appropriate forms and the imaging/copying of registration documents. Obtains and processes signed physician orders, conducts online insurance eligibility/benefit verification on designated cases, notifies patient/guarantor and collects patient liabilities, and refers appropriate cases to financial counseling for follow-up and consultation. May provide escort and directional support to patients, family members and visitors.

Your best life. Our one purpose.

At MercyOne, we understand elevating patient-centered care comes from the efforts of all colleagues. We imagine and embrace bold new ideas to revolutionize health care.

What we offer:

We care about your well-being, both physical and mental, which is why our benefit package includes:

• Wellness programs
• Education reimbursement
• Personalized health insurance plans including dental and vision
• Paid time off
• Long- and short-term leave
• Retirement planning
• Life insurance coverage

What you will do:

• When assigned to work the reception desk, the position incumbent greets patients, family members and visitors in an appropriate and courteous manner, determining their need for assistance including directions, validation of parking tickets and escort or transport. Utilizes judgment in the initial screening of the patient. May adjust the sequence of registration/transportation based upon departmental guidelines and/or personal judgment when the health of the patient is in question. Determines the type of service the patient is to receive by reviewing physician orders, the alphabetical patient schedule and/or by questioning the patient. Refers the patient to the appropriate scheduling and/or ancillary department for follow-up and action if an outpatient test must be scheduled. Will assign other staff/volunteers to patients to ensure that registrations/transportation functions are performed in a timely manner in order to avoid patient waiting periods.
• May provide wheelchair assistance for those who require it or obtain immediate clinical support. Escorts or transports patients and their belongings to their designated areas--ancillary departments, outpatient areas and nursing units, as warranted. Assists in the distribution of registration forms, ID bracelets, patient ID plates and other items.
• Performs activities that relate to registration in a variety of settings/locations and for multiple patient types (Inpatient Admissions, Outpatient Observation and Bedded Outpatients, Diagnostic Outpatients, Ambulatory Surgery, Emergency Department Registrations, Series accounts, Lab Specimens, etc.), dissemination of patient information. Will be cross-trained to perform registration/intake functions for the above noted patient types. Responsible for validating/obtaining and entering demographic, clinical, financial, and insurance information into the patient accounting system by interviewing the patient, family member and/or guarantor. Must obtain information in a variety of situations and in a professional, accurate, efficient, and courteous manner to ensure good patient relations and a smooth billing process.
• Informs patient/guarantor of their liabilities and collects appropriate patient liabilities, including co-payments, co-insurances, deductibles, deposits and outstanding balances at the point of check-in. Provides financial education, referring the patient to financial counseling, as required. In the collection of funds, documents payments/actions in the patient accounting system and provides the patient with a payment receipt.
• Validates medical necessity (LMRP/LCD review) of Medicare and Non-Medicare cases to ensure clinical and financial clearance. Contacts scheduling and/or ancillary department staff for clarification, if cases require clarification of diagnosis and/or test(s)/procedure(s).
• Obtains signed physician orders for all tests and procedures from physicians/offices for testing and procedures. Scans orders and other documentation (ID cards, Insurance cards, etc.) into the patient accounting system.
• Prepares identification bracelets and patient ID labels/plates for Inpatients and selected Outpatients. May assist the patient in processing required insurance forms and obtains/scans patient/guarantor signatures on required forms (consent to treatment, assignment of benefits, release of information, waivers, ABNs, advance directives, etc.). May audit & record the patient\'s valuables, securing appropriate authorizations, if needed. Disseminates patient information, including patient guidebooks and other required documents.
• May perform pre-registration functions on select patients by obtaining and entering information gained through patient contacts. During pre-registration calls, provides information regarding directions, parking, transportation service, overnight accommodations, etc.
• May perform cross-functional duties, including but not limited, to patient placement. While performing reservation duties, the position is primarily responsible for making bed assignments and transfers, providing functional guidance as necessary and scheduling patients to be admitted.
• May perform cross-functional duties, including but not limited, to patient placement. While performing reservation duties, the position is primarily responsible for making bed assignments and transfers, providing functional guidance as necessary and scheduling patients to be admitted.
• Provides information, directions, transportation, and assistance to patients, family members and visitors, ensuring timely, customer-centric service delivery in an effective and efficient manner. Communicates with various ancillary departments to ensure smooth patient flow and high data integrity.
• Prepares special reports as directed by the Manager to document utilization of the Patient Access department\'s services and patient flow (e.g., patient waiting time study, etc.).
• May serve as relief support, if the work schedule or work-load demands assistance to departmental personnel. May also be chosen to serve as a resource to train new employees. Cross- training in various functions is expected to assist in the smooth delivery of departmental services.

What we are looking for:

• High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Associate degree preferred. Data entry skills (50-60 keystrokes per minutes). Past work experience of at least (6) six months within a physician office, hospital or clinic environment, performing registration activities or an insurance company, performing payer activities are highly desired but not required Working required Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) credentials by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is also preferred.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and organizational abilities. Excellent interpersonal skills are necessary in dealing with peers, internal and external customers. Accuracy, attentiveness to detail and time management skills are required.
• To successfully accomplish the essential job functions of this position, the incumbent will be required to work independently, read, write, and operate keyboard and telephone effectively.
• Must be comfortable operating in a collaborative, shared leadership environment.
• Must possess a personal presence that is characterized by a sense of honesty, integrity, and caring with the ability to inspire and motivate others to promote the philosophy, mission, vision, goals, and values of Trinity Health.

Why MercyOne Western Iowa?

MercyOne Western Iowa serves the needs of individuals in a 33-county area including western Iowa, eastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center, a 238-bed regional facility, is home to the only Level II trauma center in the area \xe2\x80\x93 one of only four trauma care facilities in the state to receive verification from the American College of Surgeons \xe2\x80\x93 and MercyOne Air Med, a regional helicopter ambulance service. Along with owned and managed hospitals in Primghar and Hawarden, Iowa, and a partnership with Dunes Surgical Hospital in South Dakota, the region also operates a primary care network, specialty care clinics and home health care, providing an entire continuum of preventative, primary, acute and tertiary health care services to provide personalized, compassionate care for the communities we serve and beyond.

About MercyOne and Trinity Health

We are MercyOne: a connected system of health care facilities and services dedicated to helping you and your community live your best life so you can get well\xe2\x80\x94and stay well. With 420 care locations, our clinics, medical centers and affiliates are never too far from home, allowing us to improve the lives of individuals and communities across the state of Iowa and beyond. MercyOne Western Iowa is a member of Trinity Health

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

Our Mission defines us:

MercyOne serves with fidelity to the Gospel as a compassionate, healing ministry of Jesus Christ to transform the health of our communities.

Our timeless Values guide us:

• Reverence
• Integrity
• Commitment to the Poor
• Compassion
• Excellence
• Justice
• Stewardship

MercyOne Cultural Beliefs direct us:

• Be ONE: I benefit from and strengthen MercyOne.
• Personalize Care: Your experience. My responsibility.
• Own It!: I own my actions to deliver our key results.
• Improve Daily: I make improvements every day for those we serve including each other.
• Innovate: I imagine and embrace bold new ideas to revolutionize health.

MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center and all its affiliates are proud to be equal opportunity employers. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, physical disability or any other classification protected under local, state or federal law.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

Trinity Health