Patient Accounts Representative

SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the Supervisor, but according to established policies and procedures, interviews, pre-register/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. Initiate, review and follow-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. Verify 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. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate RESPONSIBILITIES: Interviews patients or patient representative in order to obtain complete and accurate personal and financial patient information; follow-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 physician’s 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 visit patients on the nursing unit to explain changes in their financial responsibilities.Follow up on all missing information and unsigned documents for ED Admissions by visiting patients on the nursing unit.Meet 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. Make 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 – complete 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.Coordinate daily admission reports for payers.Greet and direct all patients, families and visitors in a prompt and courteous manner.Arrive Admissionscans identification (license, etc.).Takes patient photo.Have 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. Obtain 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 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.General ResponsibilitiesAttends 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.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:N

Pay Range:

$19.03-$31.39

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:

Corporate Headquarters - 15 LaSalle Square Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Work Type:

M-F 9:00a-5:30p

Work Shift:

Day

Daily Hours: 

8 hours

Driving Required:

No