Release Of Information Specialist (Cypress)

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Release of Information (ROI) Specialist position is responsible for responding to internal and external requests for patient health information, including receipt, data entry, accounting of payments for record copies, completion of affidavits and appropriate release of information. This position ensures state and federal laws related to privacy of patient health information are strictly adhered to when complying with subpoenas, depositions, affidavits and power of attorney directives. This position also ensures requests are addressed utilizing excellent customer service skills in a timely manner.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal departmental and organizational results.

• Serves as a resource to customers regarding release of patient identifiable health information laws, rules, regulations and policies.

• Assists all internal and external customers in initiating and fulfilling their request for patient health care information. Serves as a Texas Notary Public for the Release of Information section and external customers as needed.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Returns calls to requestors and performs follow-up on requests in a timely manner as per department guidelines/expectations.

• Logs requests, request status and information released into the electronic Release of Information system and as necessary, any other secondary systems.

• Applies patience and diplomacy to sensitive circumstances; diffuses difficult customer service situations appropriately.

• Monitors the ROI queue and completes work assignments. Retrieves the correct and complete patient record from the electronic medical record (EMR) systems and other patient record sources in response to a valid request; verifies correct information has been reproduced before releasing and in a timely and secure manner; provides release of records by the requested means (e.g., electronic, paper copy, etc.).

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews incoming assigned requests for patient health information and screens for all required elements necessary to release information in accordance with state and federal laws; determines validity of authorization and/or type of request; and verifies patient or request or identity (as necessary and applicable).

• Determines validity of authorization, request and documentation provided from legal entities (i.e., subpoena, subpoena duces tecum, power of attorney, deposition, affidavits, documentation from insurance companies, workers compensation, requests from patients, doctors and hospitals).

• Ensures records are complete prior to release and contain no deficiencies. Ensures that patient health information is released only in accordance with state and federal laws and hospital and departmental policies and procedures.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and sets p