Northwestern Memorial Healthcare is hiring a Patient Access Specialist to join our team. In this remote, full-time position, you will be responsible for providing exceptional customer service while accurately scheduling and registering patients within our healthcare system. You will verify insurance, communicate with patients and internal departments, and ensure the efficiency and integrity of our patient data processes.
What You'll Do
- Practice a Patients First philosophy and uphold high standards of customer service.
- Maintain patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Accurately identify and collect patient demographic information.
- Interact with hospital departments and physicians' offices to schedule and direct patients.
- Perform medical necessity checks and communicate options to patients.
- Complete out-of-pocket estimations as requested.
- Provide training and education to others as needed.
- Cross-train between various departments to ensure operational coverage.
- Participate in Quality Assurance reviews to ensure patient data integrity.
- Communicate information regarding physician referrals, insurance referrals, and consultations.
- Collect authorization numbers in appropriate systems.
- Utilize multiple online order retrieval systems to verify or print patient orders.
- Verify insurance eligibility and benefit levels using online tools or phone.
- Complete accurate handoff instructions and notes in Epic.
- Run real time eligibility (RTE) on all patients to verify insurance.
- Send quality Epic Messages and Telephone encounters.
- Understand the minimum data set required for a complete registration and update information accordingly.
- Proactively analyze account activity, identify problems, and initiate resolutions.
- Monitor registration and scheduling, including insurance verification, to meet quality standards.
- Act as a training resource for new staff and a resource for coworkers.
What We're Looking For
- A High School diploma or equivalent.
- 2-3 years of customer service or medical office experience.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in computer data-entry and typing.
- Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
- Basic computer skills.
- Ability to type 40 wpm.
- Ability to multi-task.
- A customer service oriented mindset.
- Excellent organizational, time management, analytical, and problem solving skills.
Nice to Have
- Additional education beyond a high school diploma.
- Additional language skills.
- Healthcare finance and/or healthcare insurance experience.
- Knowledge and experience in a healthcare setting, especially patient scheduling and/or registration.
Technical Stack
- Epic electronic health record system
- Online order retrieval systems
- Online insurance verification tools (e.g., NDAS, ASF)
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation range: $17.86 - $27.68 per hour.
- Tuition reimbursement
- Loan forgiveness
- 401(k) matching
- Lifecycle benefits
Work Mode
This is a remote position based out of our Chicago, IL location.
Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
