Patient Access Services Representative I/II - Patient Fin. Counseling - Full-Time

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care.  Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year. 

Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as: 

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.

Position: Patient Access Services Representative I/II - Full-Time - Shift

Compensation

The estimated pay for this position is $20.5592 to $31.1434. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Job Description 

Under supervision, performs patient access, registration/admitting and financial counseling activities, which may include: patient pre- registration/registration, and admitting, patient financial counseling, researching and evaluating federal, state, and commercial insurance funding issues and screening patients for alternative government funding.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The Patient Access Services Representative I is the first level of the Patient Access Services Representative classification series. Incumbents have hospital/healthcare knowledge or experience, and are expected to gain specific knowledge of the importance of patient and insurance demographic information and the availability of payment options. Assignments may be made in registration/admitting, financial counseling, or related patient access areas. This classification is distinguished from Patient Access Services Representative II in that the latter performs more responsible, complex assignments. Promotion to Patient Access Services Representative II is based upon recommendation of the department head and approval of the Director of Personnel.

Essential Functions:

• Greets patients, reviews process, and schedules appointments for exam or follow-up. 
• Assembles all data and documents required for complete patient registration, including, but not limited to pre-admission, admission, pre-registration, and registration functions; completes all insurance verifications and authorizations.
• Enters all patient demographic information into the hospital’s EHR (Electronic Health Record) system; uses other department applications for eligibility and authorization.
• Assesses patient financial responsibility and collects co-pays, co-insurance, out of pocket, share of cost and/or deductibles at time of admission.
• Screens admissions and informs referring physician offices, patients and their families about hospital policies and procedures regarding method of payment sources for services rendered.
• Interviews patients at the workstation and/or at the bedside to determine possible eligibility for state-funded programs.

Essential Functions (continued):

• Obtains and documents funding information from patients and provides information on available funding resources; obtains funding for patients in the statuses of scheduling, pre-registration, registration, or post registration as assigned.
• Uses payer resources and websites to explore and assess eligibility; initiates referrals for Medi-Cal, CMS, CCS, and KMCHP; administers KMC Financial Assistance Policy and Procedures to determine patient eligibility for discounted prices or charity care.
• Works in collaboration with all areas of the revenue cycle to identify and resolve issues and/or barriers.
• Enters a variety of fiscally related information into databases; maintains fiscal records and files.
• Submits and responds to requests for information and inquiries related to patient access processes, policies, and/or other related information; researches and resolves customer problems.

Other Functions:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards:

Level I:

High School diploma or GED and six (6) months of patient access experience OR an equivalent combination of education, training, or experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. 

Level II:

High School diploma or GED and one (1) year of patient access experience OR an equivalent combination of education, training, or experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. 

Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical.

Knowledge of:

State and federal government funding programs such as Medicare, Medi-Cal, CCS, TRICARE/CHAMPUS, Workers’ Compensation; and commercial insurance payers; billing and reimbursement guidelines and methodologies for state and federal government and non-government payers; medical and insurance terminology; HIPAA privacy and compliance practices.

Ability to:

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing sufficient to perform the essential functions; read, understand, and apply policies and guidelines; obtain information from a variety of sources, including patients and families; use computers and various software to accomplish work; establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, and other internal and external customers; use tact and empathy in working with patients and families under stressful situations; perform work effectively with frequent interruptions; perform multiple tasks in a fast paced environment; lift, carry, push or pull files; sit at work station for prolonged periods of time; and report to various departments throughout the hospital.

Supplemental:

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner. 

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.