Central Access Specialist, 9a-5p, M-F, Full-Time

Socket.dev; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an entry-level Central Access Specialist to support scheduling, insurance verification, and pre-certification processes in a busy clinical setting. The role requires collecting patient demographics and financial information, verifying coverage, and initiating financial clearance.

The position emphasizes strong communication, confidentiality, and teamwork to manage high call volumes and coordinate with Financial Advocates for timely payments.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Prefer graduate of Medical Secretary Program.
• Demonstrated ability to read, write, arithmetic including fractions and decimals; strong computer skills; customer service and telephone etiquette are required.
• Knowledge of basic registration and third-party payer preferred; CPT/ICD-9 knowledge and billing knowledge are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Answering incoming phone calls and scheduling outpatient appointments.
• Pre-register scheduled patients by gathering all patient demographic and financial information.
• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits for scheduled outpatient and inpatient patients.
• Validate and initiate pre-certification.
• Compute patient liability.
• Communicate and initiate time of service collections.
• Review prior bad debts and request payment of outstanding prior bad debt.
• Alert Financial Advocates of accounts with financial clearance issues.
• Document patient liability and financial clearance status to ensure timely processing at the point of service.
• Complete pre-registration, insurance verification and financial clearance for special admission and transfer patients.

Skills

Multitasking

Communication skills

Telephone etiquette

Customer service

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma

Medical Secretary Program (preferred)

Job description

Job Summary

Job Summary:
The Central Access Specialist is an entry level position and is responsible for scheduling, securing patient demographic and insurance information; verifying insurance eligibility and benefits, verify pre-certification is obtained and/or validated; computing, communicating and obtaining patient collections and initiating the financial clearance process. Emphasis is scheduling patients greater than 3 to 5 days prior to the scheduled service date. In addition, the Central Access Specialist will complete insurance verification/pre-registration and financial clearance for special admissions. Central Access Specialist manages heavy call and schedule volumes. Position is responsible for notifying patients of their financial obligation and collecting co-pays, deductibles, deposits and other identified out-of-pocket liabilities or deposits on accounts as required and supporting their department in meeting the pre-collections goals defined by Revenue Cycle management. This also includes a review of past account balances, notifying patient of additional financial responsibility, and attempt collection of these balances. Review accounts with inadequate financial coverage for the purpose of coordinating with the Central Access Financial Advocate. The Central Access Specialist demonstrates professionalism as reflected by courteous actions, maintenance of confidentiality and appropriate presentation of self; consistently exhibits excellent oral and written communication skills; possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide interactive communications appropriate to the age of the patient being served; interact appropriately with third party payers and other departments; and have the ability to relate well to people of a broad socio-economic mix. Strong organizational skills, ability to multitask, work in a fast-paced environment, manage a multi-line phone system and a commitment to teamwork are essential. Must have ability to work closely in a clinical setting involving some stressful situations,

Education:
Required:
High School Diploma or equivalent

Preferred:
Prefer graduate of Medical Secretary Program

Experience:
Required:
Demonstrated ability to read, write, arithmetic, multiplication/division including fractions and decimals. Strong computer skills, excellent customer service skills, interpersonal communication and telephone etiquette are required. Demonstrate ability to multitask and manage high volumes. Computer, fax machine, copier, multiline telephone.

Preferred:
Knowledge of basic registration and third-party payer preferred. Preference for work experience in a physician front office operations or insurance/healthcare call center. Medical terminology, and basic knowledge base of CPT and ICD-9 codes, insurance coding and billing knowledge,

Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration
Required:

Preferred:
Certified Healthcare Access Associate from NAHAM

Essential Functions:
1. Answering incoming phone calls and scheduling outpatient
appointments.

2. Pre-register scheduled patients by gathering all patient demographic
and financial information.

3. Verify insurance eligibility and benefits for scheduled outpatient and
inpatient patients.

4. Validate and initiate pre-certification.

5. Compute patient liability.

6. Communicate and initiate time of service collections.

7. Review prior bad debts and request payment of outstanding prior bad
debt.

8. Alert Financial Advocates of accounts with financial clearance issues.
Document patient liability and financial clearance status to ensure
timely processing at the point of service.

9. Complete pre-registration, insurance verification and financial
clearance for special admission and transfer patients.