Access Specialist

Central Access Specialist

Job Summary:

The Central Access Specialist is an entry-level position responsible for scheduling patients, securing demographic and insurance information, verifying insurance eligibility and benefits, obtaining pre-certification, computing and collecting patient collections, and initiating the financial clearance process. The role emphasizes scheduling patients 3 to 5 days prior to the service date. The specialist completes insurance verification/pre-registration and financial clearance for special admissions, manages high call and schedule volumes, notifies patients of their financial obligation, collects co‑pays, deductibles, deposits, and other out‑of‑pocket liabilities, and supports the department in meeting pre‑collections goals.

The specialist reviews past account balances, notifies patients of additional financial responsibility, attempts collection, and coordinates with the Central Access Financial Advocate. Professionalism, excellent communication, confidentiality, and ability to interact with a broad socio‑economic mix are essential. Strong organizational skills, multitasking, fast‑paced work, and management of a multi‑line phone system are required.

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Preferred:
  Graduate of Medical Secretary Program

• Demonstrated ability to read, write, perform arithmetic including fractions and decimals
• Strong computer and customer service skills, interpersonal communication, telephone etiquette
• Ability to multitask and manage high volume calls
• Knowledge of basic registration and third‑party payer preferred
• Experience in physician front office operations or insurance/healthcare call center preferred
• Medical terminology, CPT and ICD-9 codes, insurance coding and billing knowledge preferred

• Answer incoming phone calls and schedule outpatient appointments
• Pre‑register scheduled patients by gathering all patient demographic and financial information
• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits for scheduled outpatient and inpatient patients
• Validate and initiate pre‑certification
• Compute patient liability
• Communicate and initiate time‑of‑service collections
• Review prior bad debts and request payment of outstanding prior bad debt
• Alert Financial Advocates of accounts with financial clearance issues
• Document patient liability and financial clearance status to ensure timely processing at point of service
• Complete pre‑registration, insurance verification and financial clearance for special admission and transfer patients

Erlanger Baroness Hospital, Chattanooga, TN

Standard

Hours:

Regular (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)