patient account representative Metairie, LA
Job description
LCMC Health
We are a New Orleans-based, non-profit health system on a mission: to provide the best possible care for every person and parish in Louisiana and beyond, and to put a little more heart and soul into healthcare along the way. And that means we do things a little differently around here.
Treating people like family is the LCMC Health way, and it always has been. Founded by Louisiana's first freestanding children's hospital, we have grown into a healthcare system that is built to serve the unique needs of our communities and families.
Today, we offer six hospital locations: Children's Hospital New Orleans, East Jefferson General Hospital, New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, and West Jefferson Medical Center. We also offer a network of urgent care centers across the greater New Orleans area. With over 2,800 physicians specializing in everything from head to toe, our community can count on us to provide the right care, right where they need it.
About East Jefferson
East Jefferson General Hospital has an enduring legacy of expert community care and treating patients like people. We opened our doors in 1971 and in 2020 joined LCMC Health. Together we are creating a better healthcare experience for everyone on the East Bank and beyond. The 420-bed hospital has received many awards and recognitions including accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. East Jefferson is also Louisiana's first Nurse Magnet hospital and the only Louisiana hospital to have earned Magnet recognition 5 times for nursing excellence. We are proud to be part of the LCMC Health system and continue to build our heritage of leading community care with the best resources, support, and services possible.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Why a Great Place to Work:
You’re more than your job. Everyone is. And that’s what makes you great at your job—all the little extras you bring to work every day, the things that make you you. At LCMC Health we value those things about you, because we know that all those little extras add up to extraordinary. And we’ve built a culture that supports and celebrates the extraordinary. You’ll see it when you come to work here, in the spirit of our places and the faces of our people. And every patient we heal, every family we comfort, every life we improve is the outcome of countless little extras adding up to an extraordinary result. Join LCMC Health, and you’ll find that our everyday makes it easy to live your extraordinary.
Essential Function:
The Patient Access Associate greets patients and guests in a courteous manner while initiating the scheduling or check-in process. They will obtain and verify accurate identification and demographic data for the patient's permanent medical record, which assists in accurate reimbursement, while recognizing and maintaining the confidentiality of all patient information. The Patient Access Associate is responsible for many types of interactions such as point-of-service face-to-face, as well as telephone, web enabled, and/or through an interpretative service related to completing the patient registration and admission process. They will improve patient satisfaction through consistently representing LCMC professionally and cross-training to support multiple functions across all patient and payer types. The Patient Access Associate interacts with patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other clinic and hospital personnel. They will show actions consistent with LCMC's "Expectations" as duties are performed daily.
Completes the scheduling function, registration, messaging, and/or admissions process:
Greets patients, guests, and family members.
Schedules patients for services with appropriate provider at appropriate locations and desired time when possible, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Analyzes current patient information to determine if an account already exists so as not to duplicate records
Creates an account for all patients who call for services or who present for services, including walk-in, non-scheduled, and emergency services according to the registration policy.
Registers patients by entering accurate demographic, financial class, insurance information; revises systems immediately as errors are recognized.
Activates scheduled accounts that have been set-up for the patient according to the registration policy
Resolves work queue errors in an accurate and timely fashion
Ensures all required forms are completed and other paperwork/documents are gathered and accurate:
Requests and documents patient demographic, insurance, guarantor, Medicare Secondary Payor, and Primary Care Physician/Referring
Physician information and validates against current system
Ensures patient/guarantor sign all applicable documentation, such as consents and financial assistance application
Scans ID’s, insurance cards, orders, authorization information, etc. to patient’s account once the information is validated for accuracy
Performs insurance verification tasks, including running automated eligibility response at point-of-service to ensure active coverage and completing notification of admission with insurance company within established timeframe
Completes messages for providers as needed using the In-Basket messaging system, ensures that all information contained in the message is accurate.
Updates Electronic Medical Record with documentation to communicate any information related to the status of a patient account
Performs financial analysis of each case and informs patient of financial responsibility:
Identifies patient copayment and remind patient of collection process at time of visit. When applicable, will inform patient/guarantor of liability due, including prior balances and estimates for scheduled service
Attempts to collect payment at point of service for both copayments and residual payments.
Provides patient information on LCMC’s financial assistance programs and/or refers patients to financial counselors as needed
Maximizes point-of-service collection, meeting established registration collection goals
Provide excellent customer service to all patients, guests and family members and internal and external team members/customers:
Promotes a customer-centered experience by performing all functions in a warm and courteous manner to patients, family members, providers, and all organization visitors.
Answers incoming calls and warm transfers calls to appropriate areas of department/clinic/hospital.
Provides directions to applicable areas of interest whether over the phone or in-person.
Schedules and reschedules appointment for patients as needed
Balances cash drawer daily and prepares cash long at the end of the shift when applicable:
Balances cash drawer daily and accounts for shortages/overages/account posting errors
Makes debit/credit adjustments as necessary; forwards necessary backup documents to lead and/or general accounting for review
Makes department copies and reports unreconciled monies/deposits supervisor
Follows facility cash drawer policy as applicable
Completes and meets all job-related facility specific of LCMC requirements
Job Qualifications:
High school graduate.
Knowledge of ICD-9/CPT codes, HMO/PPO insurance and medical terminology preferred.
Computer skills required.
Must have knowledge and experience with specific software such as Word and Excel.
Requires professional interaction with patients and physicians.
Requires ability to use copiers and fax machines.
Requires ability to use filing systems.
The above job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.
WORK SHIFT:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.
LCMC Health is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Application for Employment
It is the policy of all member hospitals and facilities of the LCMC Health System (Louisiana Children’s Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, Touro Infirmary, University Medical Center New Orleans, New Orleans East Hospital, and West Jefferson Medical Center as well as its centers of health care and physician services, East Jefferson General Hospital, Woldenberg Village, Crescent City Physician Inc., and New Orleans Physician Services) to provide equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status in regard to any position for which the employee or applicant may qualify.
Instructions to Applicant
1. You must fully and accurately complete the Application for employment. Incomplete applications will not be considered. LCMC Health and its members may use the information given in the application to investigate the applicant's previous employment and background.
2. The Application for Employment will be considered inactive after 180 days. If you wish to be considered after that time, you must complete a new Application for Employment.
3. If you are hired, proof of citizenship or immigration status will be required to verify your lawful right to work in the United States.
