Patient Accounts Rep

Lifespan; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 25,706 - 42,388; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Providence is seeking a detail-oriented Patient Admissions Representative. In this role, you will interview patients to obtain necessary personal and financial information for admissions. Key responsibilities include verifying insurance information, coordinating authorizations, and ensuring compliance with hospital policies. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills, a high school diploma, and experience in a hospital or healthcare setting. This position offers a pay range of $18.66 to $30.77 per hour.

Qualifications

• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills to obtain patient information.
• Ability to respectfully set payment arrangement terms and collect payments.
• Knowledge of third-party health insurance authorization and validation.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients to obtain personal and financial information.
• Verify insurance using multiple systems.
• Contact patients to complete pre-admission information.
• Obtain necessary authorizations for admissions.
• Ensure compliance with Medicare regulations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of health insurance

Payment arrangement skills

Education

High School diploma

Tools

LifeChart

Passport eligibility system

Job description

SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Supervisor, following established policies and procedures, interviews, pre-registers and admits patients. Financially clears accounts for Admission and other Ambulatory Departments by obtaining demographic, third-party insurance and related financial information, using LifeChart. Initiates, reviews and follows up on patient accounts to ensure proper data collection for billing, reviews any existing account balances for previous hospital services, requests cash deposit by approximating charges for scheduled services or co-payments or co‑insurance if applicable. Arranges payment agreement and contacts the Patient Financial Advocates when applicable and makes preliminary determination on welfare eligibility and/or RIH Financial Assistance program. Verifies all demographic and insurance information and obtains and/or applies for the referrals and/or authorizations from the payers as required by Hospital policies. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interviews patients or patient representatives in order to obtain complete and accurate personal and financial patient information; follows up on missing data by interviewing patients, families or calling employers, nursing homes and other facilities.
• Utilizes multiple systems to validate the accuracy of patient’s health insurance, acquire authorization and patient’s financial liability.
• Contacts patients/families to complete pre‑admission demographic and financial information including patient copays, deductibles, co‑insurance and outstanding balances. Completes Medicare Secondary Questionnaire, Liability information, etc. when applicable. Mail Welcome Brochure.
• Validates patient’s insurance using Passport eligibility system, phone calls to insurance company or payer web‑site.
• Obtains authorization for inpatients, observation and selected outpatients.
• Contact patient and physicians if payer denies authorization approval.
• Reviews outpatient/observation pre‑admission Medicare patients to ensure the patient class is appropriate following the Medicare status ‘C’ regulation. Follows up with physicians when applicable.
• ABN – Advance Beneficiary Notice validates for selected outpatient services for Medicare patients if services are covered. Works with physician’s office to ensure accuracy of selected procedures.
• In‑house patients – obtains appropriate authorization for patient class changes and visits patients on the nursing unit to explain changes in their financial responsibilities.
• Follows up on all missing information and unsigned documents for ED Admissions by visiting patients on the nursing unit.
• Meets with patients/families when Medicare patients have used all of their inpatient coverage days and can opt in or not to opt in to use their Lifetime Reserve Days. Makes payment arrangements if they choose not to use their Lifetime Reserve Days.
• Daily in‑house patients with RI Medicaid or Mass Health insurance plan validate if they have a Managed Care product and obtain the authorization.
• All in‑house patients validate their insurance the first of each month.
• Pre‑Admission testing registration – completes all necessary demographic and financial information for admission including necessary information for the admission, welcome booklet and Advanced Directives. Completes Pre‑Admission registration.
• Direct Admission is completed on the Nursing unit by the Patient Account Representative.
• Self‑pay patients – refer to Medicaid Specialist/Patient Financial Advocate.
• Completes waiver for ‘Non‑Covered Services’ for Non‑Medicare payers and No authorization at time of service for Non‑Medicare payers.
• Coordinates daily admission reports for payers.
• Greets and directs all patients, families and visitors in a prompt and courteous manner.
• Arrives Admissions: scans identification (license, etc.), takes patient photo, has patient agreement signed, explains to patient or designee the Patient Consent and/or Patient agreement and obtains all required signatures in accordance with the Admission/Registration policies to meet established hospital requirements.
• Obtains any missing demographic financial information.
• Reviews Passport eligibility response to ensure insurance is valid.
• Provides and reviews with the patient or designee the HIPAA Privacy notice, Ethics brochures, Patient Rights, Hospital Directory, Advance Directives and the Rhode Island Hospital Welcome Brochure and other related information as developed.
• Prepares patient ID bracelet and places it on patient.
• Explains waiver for Non‑Covered Services and No Authorization at time of service when applicable.
• Documents all information into LifeChart and follows the Over the Counter Policy by logging payments, and provides receipts per department policy.
• Utilizes the LifeChart system and the Business Office reports to complete daily work. Communicates with service departments to obtain MD order information as required.
• Utilizes department equipment and the following systems and policies related to these systems – LifeChart, Account Maintenance, Hospital Balance Query, My Virtual Merchant, Payer Web Sites, Passport, Workbrain, Flight Tracker, Work Ques, Faxes, Netlearning, SafetyNet and Valuables Log.
• Completes other duties as required.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings.
• Protects and preserves patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic Knowledge:
• A level of knowledge generally obtained through completion of High School.
• Well‑developed interpersonal and communication skills in order to obtain patient information and communicate effectively with the public at point of contact or via phone.
• Ability to respectfully set payment arrangement terms and collect payments.
• Knowledge of third‑party health insurance authorization/validation.
• Experience:
• Preferred Epic ADT/Cadence and/or Billing experience.
• Two‑year minimum experience in a hospital, physician setting or health insurance company.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Working conditions are generally good in a normal working environment.

PAY RANGE

Pay Range: $18.66-$30.77

EEO STATEMENT

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

LOCATION

Location: Rhode Island Hospital – 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903

WORK TYPE

Work Type: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

WORK SHIFT

Work Shift: Day

DAILY HOURS

Daily Hours: 8 hours

DRIVING REQUIRED

Driving Required: No