Patient Services Associate

Michigan Medicine; Ypsilanti (MI); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical coverage

2:1 Retirement match

Job summary

Michigan Medicine seeks a Patient Services Assistant to check in and check out patients, schedule appointments and tests, and ensure all information is ready for visits. You will verify patient details, obtain referrals, and handle pre-arrival requirements to support staff and clinicians.

You will also manage calls, collect payments, reconcile cash, and help maintain accurate visit data while coordinating with nursing and medical teams for efficient patient flow.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
• Experience in customer service in healthcare preferred.

Responsibilities

• Check in and check out patients, schedule appointments, tests, and consults.
• Verify, update patient information and obtain referrals/authorizations.
• Manage incoming calls and confirm patient appointments.
• Process patient charges, collect payments and reconcile cash.
• Ensure complete visit information and coordinate with nursing staff for smooth flow.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Active listening

Written communication

Verbal communication

IT skills

Basic medical terminology

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

UMHS EMR systems

Job description

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

Check in and check out patients, schedule patients for appointments, tests, and consults. Ensure all pertinent information is available for patient visits. Prepare, maintain and update forms/records. Provide general information to staff and patients. Verify, update patient information, obtain referrals and/or authorizations. Manage incoming telephone calls, confirm patient appointments and other pre-arrival requirements. Process patient charges, collect payments and reconcile cash collections.

Responsibilities*

Basic Function And Responsibilities

Fully functioning staff member. Could be promoted to this level after proven ability to fully function as a Patient Services Assistant. May also perform some telephone triage and administrative support.

• Accurately and efficiently schedule patient appointments utilizing Cadence. Management of pre-arrival functions to assure all necessary information has been obtained for clinic visits.
• Serve as a resource for physicians and other staff, patients, and outside third parties for insurance authorizations and other managed care related issues.
• Respond to patient inquiries related to special requirements of insurance plans, directing patient to insurance carrier as needed to address coverage and benefit questions.
• Assist patients with payment questions on the phone or in person. Collect payments, copays and past due balances at patient check out using established department guidelines.
• Reconcile clinic cash collections and credit card transactions daily according to specified clinic standards.
• Ensure completeness of visit information including type of visit, reason for service, charge for service and diagnostic codes for processing professional and facility charges. Participate in creating efficient patient flow coordinating with nursing/medical assistant staff and faculty.

RELATED DUTIES

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Graduation from high school or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Desired Qualifications*

• 1 year of customer service experience
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
• Experience working within a large, complex health care setting.
• Familiarity with UMHS electronic medical record systems.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work well within a team setting.
• Communicates effectively.
• Demonstrates active listening, written, verbal and information technology skills.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.