POSITION SUMMARY:

The Access Service Specialist is responsible for verifying and updating insurance, patient demographics, determining prior authorization requirements, obtaining referrals for outpatient and inpatient services, benefit counseling, estimates and collection. The position is accountable for multiple electronic work queues in performing their duties. The incumbent works with internal and external customers, including patients, families, third party payers, clinical staff, and review organizations to accomplish their objectives.

This position represents SwedishAmerican and the Revenue Cycle team by adhering and upholding the SwedishAmerican iCare values and SwedishAmerican Service Excellence Standards of Behavior in providing the highest quality service to our customers. They will be friendly, knowledgeable, flexible, and reliable. They will listen to, anticipate, recognize, and satisfy our customer's needs. We will improve our Access Service process while ensuring the highest level of satisfaction, keeping our promises and commitments, and demonstrating our commitment through respect, knowledge, responsiveness, and courtesy. They will support their co-workers, engage in positive interactions, demonstrate friendliness by smiling and making eye contact when greeting all customers, provide helpful assistance in anticipating and responding to the needs of our customers and staying calm under pressure to deal effectively with difficult people.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

High school diploma or GED preferred. At least 2 years’ experience in the healthcare or related field with emphasis on insurance prior authorization and referral processes preferred.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Must be detail oriented and accurate.
• Ability to use good judgments in highly emotional and demanding situations
• Ability to react to frequent changes in duties and volume of work
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong patient interviewing techniques by telephone or in person
• Ability to comprehensively and accurately capture patient demographic, insurance information, detail-oriented
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with ease and efficiency
• Self-starter with a willingness to try new ideas
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and be result oriented
• Positive, can-do attitude coupled with a sense of urgency
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to promote teamwork
• Strong problem solving skills
• Ability to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction including employees, patients, visitors, referring physicians and external stakeholders
• Ability to use various computer applications including EPIC and MS Office
• Basic math skills and knowledge of general accounting principles
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information
• Broad knowledge of health care business office practices and principles
• Solid understanding of coordination of benefits regulations
• Knowledge of medical and insurance terminology, CPT, ICD coding structures
• Knowledge of Business Office policies and procedures
• Knowledge of local, state and federal healthcare regulations
• Securing Valuables
• Ability to type 35 words per minute preferred.