Patient Access Associate

Come lead with us at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. The Patient Access Associate position is responsible for obtaining and entering accurate demographic and insurance information in the electronic health record (EHR) on patients presenting at the various entry points of the facility. This position performs cashiering functions, ensuring that all hospital accounts are secure, through the collection of the required co‑pay, deductibles and co‑insurance.

This position also performs the medical necessity check, to ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines. The Patient Access Associate promotes excellent customer service and complies with all applicable regulations such as EMTALA and HIPAA.

Non‑exempt

• High School diploma or equivalent education (GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)
• Two years of experience in a strong customer service environment
• One year of registration experience in a hospital environment preferred

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English
• Effective communication with patients, physicians, family members and co‑workers
• Ability to multi‑task and flexible to meet the requirements of the patients and department
• Knowledge of basic registration/access functions and insurance procedures
• Problem‑solving ability
• Calmness in stressful situations
• Excellent customer service and professional communication skills
• Proficient computer skills, ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs
• Accuracy and rapid detail work

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit
• Communicates openly in a non‑judgmental manner and maintains a professional demeanor during all interactions with customers and co‑workers
• Obtains and records accurate demographic and insurance information on patients by interviewing patients, family members and physicians, ensuring correct insurance plan codes
• Explains consent forms, obtains signatures, and responds to any questions professionally
• Contributes to departmental and hospital patient experience, proactively seeks solutions, and alerts management of unusual situations impacting the level of service
• Maintains HIPAA privacy of protected health information and uses patient identifiers correctly
• Meets departmental goals for registration error rate and productivity
• Ensures ordered services meet established medical necessity criteria
• Collects payments based on predetermined information, performs insurance verification, and offers payment options after minimum required payment
• Accurately posts receipts, balances cash drawer daily, and follows cash drawer policy
• Organizes time effectively, minimizes overtime, prioritizes tasks, and helps teammates
• Displays initiative to improve job functions, offers suggestions for streamlined processes, and demonstrates adaptability during changing demands
• Seeks opportunities for continual development beyond baseline competencies

• Uniform:
  Yes
• Scrubs:
  No
• Business professional:
  Yes
• Other (department approved):
  Yes

• Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies such as disasters or severe weather events
• On Call:
  No

• Travel specifications may vary by department
• Travel within Houston Metropolitan area:
  No
• Travel outside Houston Metropolitan area:
  No

• Seniority level:
  Entry level
• Employment type:
  
  Full‑time
• Job function:
  Health Care Provider
• Industry: Hospitals and Health Care