Admitting Officer I - UI Health, Patient Access

University of Illinois at Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois at Chicago (UI Health) is seeking an Insurance Verification and Pre-Authorization Clerk in Chicago, IL. The role supports Revenue Management and Patient Access Services. It involves obtaining authorizations, confirming eligibility, and assisting with patient estimates while ensuring compliance with payer requirements.

The position is hybrid, with a Monday–Friday schedule and benefits eligibility. Illinois residency is required within 180 days of employment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of work experience in a medical setting and one year obtaining preauthorization from medical insurance.
• Experience in healthcare registration and financial clearance processes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic insurance verification and pre-authorization for outpatient services.
• Obtain and coordinate authorizations with third‑party payers.
• Maintain UI Health documentation and update required records in systems.
• Provide excellent customer service to patients, providers, and staff.

Skills

Customer service

Pre-authorization experience

Medical insurance knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

College coursework or training in business / health care administration

Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three years (36 months)

Job description

Chicago, IL, United States

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1043248

FTE: 1

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7.5 hours/day

Shift: Days

# of Positions: 1

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Pay Range: The previously determined pay range for this position is $30.67 - 47.45 / Hourly Wage. Pay is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

About the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital and outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity. Learn more: https://hospital.uillinois.edu/about-ui-health

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, LifeInsurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The incumbent reports to the Assistant Director of Revenue Management, who reports to the Director of Revenue Management, Patient Access Services, who reports to the Associate CFO, who reports to Chief Financial Officer. Under direct supervision, performs basic insurance verification and pre-authorization for outpatient services. Assists to ensure services performed in clinic have met medical necessity guidelines of the insurance carrier and pre-authorization/referrals have been obtained per the payers requirements, maximizing reimbursement in the claim submission process.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Contacts insurance providers to obtain any applicable authorization types prior to service.
• Obtains and / or coordinates with third-party payers authorizations for services.
• Monitors expirations of authorizations and initiates requests for extensions.
• Documents and updates all authorizations obtained in UI Health systems. Obtains and scans all appropriate documents, as applicable.
• Maintains applicable assigned workqueues and expected lead times.
• Within UI Health workqueues, documents and closes tasks upon completion.
• Updates work in progress on outstanding tasks.
• Maintains expected lead times and organization while completing tasks.
• Consistently performs and exceeds departmental minimum expected productivity goals.
• Ability to complete registration and coverage verification, as necessary.
• Determines if patient is eligible for intended care at UI Health. If necessary, contacts patient to obtain correct insurance information, or informs patient of UI Health self-pay policy.
• May perform patient estimates, as necessary. Updates all demographic / coverage / eligibility information in UI Health system.
• Provides excellent customer services to patients, providers, and clinic staff in person and via telephone.
• Completes interactions with respect and courtesy. Provides general information regarding UI Health when appropriate.
• Continues education on payers / payer requirements and UI Health contracts.
• Maintains technical knowledge of items necessary for financial clearance at UI Health for intended services.
• Stays up to date as policies and necessary documentation and payer requirements change.
• Maintains competence and technical knowledge.
• Maintains a working knowledge of necessary registration and eligibility systems.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of employment.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any one or combination totaling one (1) year (12 months) from the categories below:
  • College coursework or training from a vocational, technical, or armed forces program in business, communication, health care administration, health information technology, health sciences, public health, social sciences, or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
  • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
  • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
  • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
  • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
• Work experience in a medical setting which could include business administration (office administration, billing, collections), customer service, health information technology, medical insurance, patient admission/registration, patient services, or closely related experience.
• One (1) year (12 months) of work experience in a medical setting obtaining preauthorization approval from medical insurance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in healthcare (hospital or medical office) registration and/or financial clearance processes and/or completing payer authorization processes

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Looking for more University of Illinois positions?

We invite you to search for positions at each of the University of Illinois locations, the University of Illinois System Office and the University of Illinois Foundation. The University of Illinois System Office supports the primary missions of teaching, research, public service, and economic development for all of the Universities and offers positions in all locations. The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the University of Illinois and also offers position in all locations. Click the links below to search for other University of Illinois positions.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, covid sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.