Houston Methodist
FLSA Status
Non-exempt
Job Overview Come lead with us at Houston Methodist Hospital. At Houston Methodist, the Patient Access Associate position is responsible for obtaining and entering accurate demographic and insurance information in the electronic health record (EHR) on patients presenting at the various entry points of the facility. This position performs cashiering functions, ensuring that all hospital accounts are secure, through the collection of the required co-pay, deductibles, and co‑insurance. It also performs the medical necessity check to ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines, employs effective communication skills, promotes excellent customer service in every interaction, and adheres to all of the department, hospital, governmental, and licensing agency requirements related to EMTALA and HIPAA.
Qualifications
Education:
High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)
Experience:
Two years of experience in a strong customer service environment; one year of registration experience in a hospital environment preferred.
Licenses and Certifications:
None specified.
Skills and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co‑workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
Ability to multi‑task and flexibility to meet the requirements of the patients and the department.
Knowledge of basic registration/access functions and insurance procedures.
Ability to problem‑solve.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations with patience and understanding.
Excellent customer service and professional communication skills.
Proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs.
Ability to handle detail work accurately and rapidly.
People Essential Functions
Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team‑focused work unit that actively helps one another achieve optimal departmental and organizational results.
Communicates openly in a non‑judgmental manner and in a professional demeanor during all interactions with customers and co‑workers.
Service Essential Functions
Obtains and records accurate demographic and insurance information on patients by interviewing patients, family members and physicians. Ensures that the correct insurance plan codes are utilized for the billing process.
Explains the consent forms, obtains signatures on the forms and responds to any questions in a professional manner.
Contributes to departmental and hospital patient experience, proactively seeks solutions to address patient issues and concerns, and alerts management in a timely manner to any unusual and/or difficult situations impacting the level of service.
Quality/Safety Essential Functions
Consistently takes the necessary steps to ensure that protected health information remains private and confidential, according to established HIPAA guidelines. Uses patient identifiers consistently to properly identify patients and the correct medical records. Refrains from issuing new medical record numbers to patients with existing accounts.
Meets goals set by the department (e.g., registration error rate, productivity/activities per hour, etc.).
Finance Essential Functions
Ensures that ordered services meet established medical necessity criteria when applicable.
Collects payments based on pre‑determined information. Performs insurance verification to determine patient out‑of‑pocket expenses for services. If applicable, offers payment options after the minimum required payment has been received. Fulfills monthly goals for cash collection.
Accurately posts patient payments and balances cash drawer on a daily basis; follows department policy related to cash drawers and cash receipting.
Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.
Growth/Innovation Essential Functions
Displays initiative to improve job functions. Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility during changing demands. Offers suggestions to streamline process for efficient patient flow.
Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.
Supplemental Requirements
Work Attire:
Uniform required; scrubs not required; business professional required; other department‑approved attire allowed.
On‑Call:
Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (disaster, severe weather events, etc.). No on‑call requirement at this time.
Travel:
Travel may vary by department; may require travel within the Houston metropolitan area – No; may require travel outside Houston metropolitan area – No.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Overview Come lead with us at Houston Methodist Hospital. At Houston Methodist, the Patient Access Associate position is responsible for obtaining and entering accurate demographic and insurance information in the electronic health record (EHR) on patients presenting at the various entry points of the facility. This position performs cashiering functions, ensuring that all hospital accounts are secure, through the collection of the required co-pay, deductibles, and co‑insurance. It also performs the medical necessity check to ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines, employs effective communication skills, promotes excellent customer service in every interaction, and adheres to all of the department, hospital, governmental, and licensing agency requirements related to EMTALA and HIPAA.
Qualifications
Education:
High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)
Experience:
Two years of experience in a strong customer service environment; one year of registration experience in a hospital environment preferred.
Licenses and Certifications:
None specified.
Skills and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co‑workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
Ability to multi‑task and flexibility to meet the requirements of the patients and the department.
Knowledge of basic registration/access functions and insurance procedures.
Ability to problem‑solve.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations with patience and understanding.
Excellent customer service and professional communication skills.
Proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs.
Ability to handle detail work accurately and rapidly.
People Essential Functions
Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team‑focused work unit that actively helps one another achieve optimal departmental and organizational results.
Communicates openly in a non‑judgmental manner and in a professional demeanor during all interactions with customers and co‑workers.
Service Essential Functions
Obtains and records accurate demographic and insurance information on patients by interviewing patients, family members and physicians. Ensures that the correct insurance plan codes are utilized for the billing process.
Explains the consent forms, obtains signatures on the forms and responds to any questions in a professional manner.
Contributes to departmental and hospital patient experience, proactively seeks solutions to address patient issues and concerns, and alerts management in a timely manner to any unusual and/or difficult situations impacting the level of service.
Quality/Safety Essential Functions
Consistently takes the necessary steps to ensure that protected health information remains private and confidential, according to established HIPAA guidelines. Uses patient identifiers consistently to properly identify patients and the correct medical records. Refrains from issuing new medical record numbers to patients with existing accounts.
Meets goals set by the department (e.g., registration error rate, productivity/activities per hour, etc.).
Finance Essential Functions
Ensures that ordered services meet established medical necessity criteria when applicable.
Collects payments based on pre‑determined information. Performs insurance verification to determine patient out‑of‑pocket expenses for services. If applicable, offers payment options after the minimum required payment has been received. Fulfills monthly goals for cash collection.
Accurately posts patient payments and balances cash drawer on a daily basis; follows department policy related to cash drawers and cash receipting.
Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.
Growth/Innovation Essential Functions
Displays initiative to improve job functions. Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility during changing demands. Offers suggestions to streamline process for efficient patient flow.
Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.
Supplemental Requirements
Work Attire:
Uniform required; scrubs not required; business professional required; other department‑approved attire allowed.
On‑Call:
Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (disaster, severe weather events, etc.). No on‑call requirement at this time.
Travel:
Travel may vary by department; may require travel within the Houston metropolitan area – No; may require travel outside Houston metropolitan area – No.
#J-18808-Ljbffr