Patient Referrals Specialist
Lowell Community Health Center
Patient Referrals Specialist
Lowell Community Health Center
Community health center delivering primary care
Process incoming and outgoing referrals. Responsible for scheduling specialty appointments for health center patients and informing patients of date, time and location of appointments. Respond to inquiries from patients, staff, internal and external physicians, hospitals, other medical groups and third party carriers. Maintain data and referral tracking system. Work collaboratively with other members of the health care team in order to provide superior patient care delivery. Provides overall excellent customer service.
Other responsibilities include:
• Process incoming and outgoing referrals sent via the electronic medical record (EMR) from the medical providers.
• Upon receiving request for referral, verify insurance coverage and obtain approval as needed.
• Research and ensure that the specialist referring to accepts the patient’s insurance plan.
• Contact specialty office and schedule appointment for patient.
• Assemble referral paperwork and required medical information and submit to specialty office as needed.
• Respond to providers via telephone encounters and actions within EMR when additional information is needed.
• Ensure that all required forms are obtained, completed and signed.
• Send referral and any pertinent information to patient regarding their scheduled specialty appointment. • Respect and maintain privacy and dignity of patients/clients: assure patient/client confidentiality at all times
• Interact with patients on site and via phone regarding questions about referral appointments.
• Provide excellent customer service to both external customers and internal customers
• Ensure that referrals are processed in a timely manner in accordance with health center policies.
• Participate in staff and educational meetings/trainings
• Maintains current knowledge of referral processes, health center systems and changes.
• Where needed, provide cross –coverage and back-up staffing support to other functions of the Patient Service Center, including Health Benefits, Greeters and Registration services.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned
High school diploma or equivalent, two years office experience in a health care setting preferred. Knowledge of medical terminology required, medical assistant certification is a plus. Knowledge of health care system and insurance eligibility is a plus. Must have effective communication skills both verbally and written. Data entry, computer and phone skills are required.
Bi-lingual in English and Spanish, Portuguese or Khmer preferred.
Lowell Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are proud not only of being one of Lowell's largest primary care providers, but of our history serving the community. For over 40 years, Lowell Community Health Center has been offering quality, caring, and culturally appropriate health care services to the people of Greater Lowell, Massachusetts.
Community health center delivering primary care
Lowell Community Health Center provides primary care and related health services to about 50,000 residents of Greater Lowell, with OB-GYN, behavioral health, pharmacy, eye care, dental, lab and radiology through a partner hospital, all housed in one renovated facility. It treats patients regardless of ability to pay, funding 76% of its income from insurance reimbursements and fees, with the rest from grants and gifts. More than 90% of patients are low income and 46% speak a language other than English, and the center aims to reduce health disparities and improve well-being through culturally competent care. Its differentiators are offering comprehensive, integrated services under one roof without denying care due to financial barriers and a long-standing presence in the community.
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