Release of Information Specialist

UP Health System – Portage; Hancock Township (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

Life & disability insurance

Tuition assistance & 401(k)

Wellness programs

Career development

Job summary

UP Health System - Portage is seeking a Release of Information Specialist to ensure compliant handling of patient data and efficient information release. You will collaborate with risk and revenue cycle teams to meet regulations and protect patient rights.

The role requires thorough knowledge of HIPAA, Hi-Tech, ARRA, and hospital policies, with hands-on experience in locating and logging health records across multiple EMR systems.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent required.
• 2 years medical office experience preferred.
• Must handle stress and work with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Process release of information requests per HIPAA and regulations.
• Enter information into the release of information logging system.
• Answer phones and assist visitors while maintaining confidentiality.
• Retrieve and identify relevant records with minimal disclosure.

Skills

HIPAA knowledge

MS Office proficiency

Verbal & written communication

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Keyboarding

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Meditech

Athena

WebPT

Obix

OncoEMR

Wound Expert

Job description

Your Experience Matters

Up Health System- Portage part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. By joining our team, you're embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier ®. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.

How You'll Contribute

A Release of Information Specialist who excels in this role:

• Works collaboratively with Risk Manager, Revenue Cycle Manager, Clinic Managers and Medical Records Supervisor to ensure adherence with state mandated turn-around times for release of patient information, customer satisfaction and patient care.
• Receives subpoenas and assesses the contents for appropriateness including indication of patient's awareness of the request for records.
• Professionally interacts with attorneys, judges and court clerks to accommodate the needs of the litigation without violating the patient's rights.
• Evaluates the adequacy of requests received for protected health information to ensure that the request meets or exceeds the requirements established by HIPAA, Hi-Tech, ARRA, state regulations and hospital policies.
• Enter information into the release of information logging system.
• Responsible for answering telephone calls and assisting visitors (including but not limited to physicians, patients, and their family members), while maintaining confidentiality.
• Evaluates the adequacy of requests received for protected health information to ensure that the request meets or exceeds the requirements established by HIPAA, Hi-Tech, ARRA, state regulations and hospital policies.
• Enter information into the release of information logging system.
• Retrieves the patient records and identifies those documents that are consistent with the authorization ensuring that only the minimally necessary documents are duplicated and released
• Has an in-depth knowledge of what constitutes the Legal Health Record and an in depth knowledge of where the information is found. Including but not limited to in the paper chart, Meditech, Athena, WebPT, Obix, OncoEMR, or Wound Expert.

Why join us

We Believe That Investing In Our Employees Is The First Step To Providing Excellent Patient Care. In Addition To Your Base Compensation, This Position Also Offers

• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Financial Protection & PTO: Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
• Financial & Career Growth: Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
• Employee Well-being: Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
• Professional Development: Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What We're Looking For

• Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent Required.
• Preferred Minimum Work Experience: 2 years Medical Office experience Preferred.
• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• Works independently with proven organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Must be able to prioritize multiple tasks and exercise sound judgment.
• Demonstrates proficiency in verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively and professionally with individuals at all levels; both internal and external.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Excellent keyboarding skills and a working knowledge of personal computer functions.

More About UP Health System - Portage

UP Health System - Portage has been serving Michigan's Western Upper Peninsula since 1896. It supports a multi-specialty medical community with over 40 physicians, and more than a dozen allied health professionals. The main campus features a 36-bed hospital, accredited as a chest pain center by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC). UP Health System - Portage was the first in the state to achieve Level III ACC (American College of Cardiology) verification as a trauma center. Additional services include dedicated physician hospitalists, cardiopulmonary services, elective and emergency orthopedics, women's health, general surgery, hematology and oncology, internal medicine, sports medicine and rehabilitation and sports medicine, x-ray and diagnostics (including MRI, mobile PET scan, 64-slice CT scanner, nuclear imaging, and 3D mammography), an advanced wound care center, a sleep lab, two Express Care walk-in clinics, a regional dialysis unit, pharmacy services, laboratory services, home care, and a 60-bed senior living community.

With small communities and big ideas, Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the perfect place for people to explore their many interests. Visit the art galleries, and museums, walk along the beaches of Lake Superior, hike, bike, and explore the beautiful nature trails. Wrap yourself up in a blanket of bright stars, clean air and open water.

Hancock is a community that brings together small-town values, rich history and a four-season wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts - without long commute times or congested highways. The Keweenaw is home to two universities - Michigan Technological University and Finlandia University. The community benefits from the diversity, culture and high standards of living contributed to our small town. We often call the Keweenaw the "Copper Country" because of the amount of natural "float" copper found in the area. In fact, at 90% pure, much of the copper is the purest copper in the world.

Welcome, to the Keweenaw Peninsula!

EEOC Statement

UP Health- Portage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Marquette General Hospital is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment.

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.