Patient Access Specialist

Quick Facts

Patient Access Specialist providing patient-first service through accurate registration, scheduling, and insurance/financial eligibility support.

Description

You will collect correct patient demographic information, schedule and direct patients through hospital systems, and perform medical necessity and insurance eligibility checks. The role requires HIPAA-compliant confidentiality, effective communication with patients and internal departments, and accurate documentation in scheduling/registration systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service and follow a patient-first philosophy
• Answer patient questions and address concerns
• Escalate extraordinary issues to the appropriate Team Lead or Operations Coordinator
• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA
• Identify, collect, and verify patient demographic information
• Coordinate scheduling, including patient appointment outreach, and direct patients through organizational systems
• Complete medical necessity checks and communicate options if appointments fail
• Inform patients of issues securing the financial account and provide out-of-pocket estimates when requested
• Collect authorization numbers in applicable systems
• Provide training/education as needed; serve as a resource for new staff and coworkers
• Support cross-training across departments to ensure coverage
• Participate in Quality Assurance reviews to ensure integrity of patient data
• Use service recovery skills to resolve problems or service breakdowns
• Prevent duplicate patient records and double-check orders, preps, timing/location, and conflicts before visits
• Verify and update the minimum required data set in the registration system
• Monitor registration and scheduling with insurance verification to meet quality metrics; adjust processes as needed
• Evolve as healthcare policies change; complete other duties as assigned

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 2–3 years of customer service or medical office experience
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
• Proficiency in computer data-entry/typing and basic computer skills
• Ability to type 40 wpm
• Ability to multi-task
• Customer service oriented
• Excellent organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-solving skills

Benefits

The role includes a wide range of benefits supporting employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection for unexpected life events. Benefits eligibility depends on employment classification, and sign-on bonus eligibility may be limited for certain internal employees/rehires with stated exceptions.