Office Assistant - Mental Health (42556)

Under supervision of the Chief of Mental Health Program, the Office Assistant will serve as front-office receptionist, appointment clerk, and patient access representative in the mental health department; and provide administrative support to the administrative assistant. Will collect and coordinate the use of key demographic information, and utilize the information to manage alternate resource coordination and eligibility for services. Upholds the principles of WIHCC’s Vision, Mission, and Value Statements. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information at all times.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.

• Serves as first point of contact as a representative of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse department of WIHCC, greeting and checking in high volume of patients.
• Interviews patients to obtain pertinent patient registration information; i.e., demographic and insurance information as well as a signature of authorization to enable WIHCC to bill for health care services provided from all alternate resources, including the non-beneficiary services.

• Provides appropriate scheduling for their designated clinic and provides detailed information concerning eligibility for and availability of specific clinical services.
• Provides follow-up calls to patients to remind them of upcoming appointments.
• Works with professional staff to assure appropriate tracking and follow-up of clinical indicators involved in Quality Improvement processes.
• Maintains attention to detail and accuracy, with audits of accuracy rate >95%.

• Determines the eligibility of patients in accordance with Indian Health Services and Navajo Area Contract Health Services guideline.
• Collects third party recipient health cards, obtains photocopies of the card and explains the program to the beneficiaries, i.e., why Medicare, Medicaid and/or private/commercial insurance, will be billed for the services they received at the WIHCC, Inc. facility.
• Utilizes RPMS Patient Registration Modules, manages, key-enters, updates and verifies all alternate resource data necessary for patient registration and for accurate billing through the use of the RPMS and electronic health record system.
• Makes decisions independently, devises solutions, and takes action based on program knowledge related to patient access.
• Works closely with Health Information Management, Nursing, Medical Staff, Purchase Referred Care, Patient Benefits Coordinators, Patient Access Representatives, and the Business Office.
• Assists providers with Navajo interpretation for patients upon request.
• Determines the eligibility of patients seeking health care, who have not previously been treated at the facility, by obtaining the Certificate of Indian Blood or other documentary proof of tribal affiliation.

• Obtains signatures and assists patients in completing new or updated forms required for Patient Access such as Workmans Comp, Motor Vehicle Accident Form, Medicare Secondary Payer Questionnair