Patient Access Specialist

Kaweah Health is a publicly owned, community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia area in central California. With more than 5,000 employees, Kaweah Health provides state-of-the-art medicine and high-quality preventive services in our acute care hospital, specialized health centers and clinics. Our eight-campus healthcare district has 613 beds and offers comprehensive health services across a broad continuum of care.   

It takes a special person to work for Kaweah Health. We serve a region where the needs are great, which makes the rewards even greater. Every day, we care for people facing unique challenges and in need of healing. Throughout it all, our focus is to make a difference, and we do — in the health of our patients, our loved ones, and our community.

Benefits Eligible

Part-Time Benefit Eligible

Work Shift

Variable - 8 Hour or less Shift (United States of America)

Department

8562 Centralized Scheduling

Ensures high quality work of the scheduling process for patient care services by answering incoming phone calls, placing outbound phone calls to coordinate appointments and routes calls to appropriate staff as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Required: High school diploma

Preferred: College courses


Experience
Preferred: Prior patient access, registration, scheduling, insurance benefit verification experience and medical terminology knowledge.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Excellent communication, customer service and data input skills.

Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

Some medical terminology knowledge helpful.

Attention to detail a requirement.

Strong organizational skills.

Ability to multi-task and prioritize.

Ability to work well with others in a team driven environment.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential

Schedules all procedures for patients in a timely manner utilizing appropriate software applications including Synapse, WELL etc to accurately enter information about each procedure into the scheduling system including any special information about the patient i.e., allergies, wheelchair, translator etc.

Obtains demographic and insurance information from physician’s office or patient necessary to schedule and provide services to the patient.

Collaborates with the clinical technicians regarding patient pre-medication protocol to inform the referring provider’s office.

Reviews clinical criteria required to schedule radiology  exams such as cardiac implants, pathology reports, radiology reports etc for patient safety review and to ensure all required documents are available.

Collaborates with physicians’ office to obtain orders, valid ICD 10 diagnosis code and assists in obtaining authorizations.

Maintains and prioritizes assigned modalities in E-Fax queue and Powerchart Message Centers.

Communicates with referring provider’s office the radiologist protocol for radiology exams to achieve maximum results.

Modifies appointment in system, reschedules and cancels exams appropriately, including documenting reasons in imaging information system. Notifies nursing upon rescheduling or canceling exam.

Performs medical necessity check for all Medicare outpatients provides ABN as needed to patient. 

Answers outbound and inbound calls timely and professionally, routes call as appropriate to other staff or location using web-based call system.

Contacts patient one business day prior to scheduled service to confirm appointment and explain special preparation required.

Addendum (essential for specific dept)

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN WORKING AT KHIC:

Checks in patients, verifies and updates necessary information in the medical record. Ensures proper client intake at front desk.

Obtains any signatures necessary including but not limited to HIPPA, Conditions of Admission.

Obtains necessary release signatures for any Imaged records. Assures that documents are appropriately identified prior to providing document to the radiology file clerks.

Collects and receipts any copayments or deductibles as determined through benefit verification as patient responsibility. Answers questions regarding patient accounts.

Properly identifies correct patient, correct exam, and correct physician to ensure exam accuracy and patient confidentiality before services are provided to patient.

Communicates add on exams to specific areas, including patient access and front desk.

Obtains contact information for patients brought by ambulance or other transportation.