Job Description

Department Overview

This position is an integral part of the Department of Urology. This position directly supports the Department objectives of Clinical Care, Quality Assurance, Education and Research. This position is responsible for scheduling surgeries and related clinic visits in the OHSU Health System; obtaining insurance authorization and conducting related managed care activities; assisting with referral management; and triaging incoming calls; all activities are expected to be performed with the highest level of customer service excellence standards.

Function/Duties of Position

• Customer Service: Provide the highest level of customer service to both external customers (patients and their families, referring providers, insurance carriers, etc.) and internal customers (OHSU health care providers and staff) that meet or exceed the service standards of the health care industry. This duty includes prompt and professional communication efforts, face-to-face customer contact skills, crisis management, facility with available information technology, standard complaint processing, flexible coverage of internal service needs and the continuous application of process improvement methods and skills.
• Surgery Scheduling: Schedule new surgical and clinical appointment via EPIC Cadence. Arrange wheelchairs, interpreters, and transportation when necessary and accommodates other special needs whenever possible. Prepares and mails information packets to patients. Notify patients of appointments via telephone and mail. Make confirmation calls and send out appointment reminders. Make special arrangements with families for teleconferences as needed. Secures pertinent outside medical records prior to appointments including hard copies of appropriate diagnostics. Schedule diagnostic studies to be done at facilities inside and outside of OHSU. Arrange for transfers of patients from outside hospitals via the transfer center, per surgeon instructions. Develop and maintain working relationships with the referring physician and their staff to insure a smooth referral process. Participate in meetings and committees as requested to improve patient care processes and procedures.
• Managed Care: Gather/Verify patient and guarantor information including demographics, insurance coverage, and financial status; confirm patient eligibility and benefits for health care coverage directly with the carrier via electronic database, phone, fax or email; clarify any managed care arrangements; obtain authorizations for clinical care, surgeries, procedures and laboratory studies. Enter all authorizations, referral and benefit information accurately into EPIC Cadence and EARL. Follows up on pending authorizations until they are obtained. Works with manager to resolve any denials related to authorization/enrollment issues in a timely manner.
• Follow up on referrals for future appointments. Attend monthly managed care meetings and share information with staff. Serve as liaison and information resource for physicians, nursing support, coworkers, referring physicians, etc. on insurance authorization requirements. Determine appropriate TOS payment amounts (including co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, deposits, prepayments, etc.) and arrange for their collection at the time of service. Arrange for T&C forms, NCCF, etc. to be completed by patient and submit as appropriate. Apply problem solving skills and negotiation skills in resolving patient concerns and managed care related problems. Follow up on UMG denials as requested by manager. Perform other miscellaneous tasks relating to the managed care processes at OHSU.
• Other Duties As Assigned.

Required Qualifications

• One year of experience in a medical office setting, including high-volume direct patient contact, scheduling of appointments and may require experience obtaining managed care authorizations (dependent on position description). OR one and a half years of work experience in a high volume direct public contact position and 6 months experience in a medical office setting. The candidate must have a thorough knowledge of PAS policies and procedures. Candidates will have demonstrated advanced PAS user skills as well as extensive knowledge of integrated care at OHSU.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Basic computer skills including word processing. Windows applications, on-line scheduling, and a preference for data-base skills. Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Strong customer service orientation. Demonstrated effectiveness in confrontational customer interactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient with managed care functions including eligibility issues, authorizations, referrals and TOS payments/collections.
• Demonstrated exemplary written and verbal customer service skills and communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in customer confrontational interactions.
• Basic computer skills including word processing.
• Windows applications, on-line scheduling, and a preference for data-base skills.
• Must have excellent attendance; must be detail oriented and must be able to demonstrate ability; must be able to work independently, with little direct supervision; must have demonstrable record of reliable attendance, punctuality, and proven successful performance at past and present employers.
• Bachelors degree or some college experience preferred.
• Two years' experience in a high-volume medical office preferred.
• Experience in a Urology service. OHSU PAS experience preferred.
• EPIC experience preferred

Additional Details

• Ability to work general business office hours from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Occasionally, need to come in early or stay late to accommodate patient or physician needs.
• Sit for long periods of the day; perform computer related tasks at length; ability to walk distances across campus as required; ability to lift 25 to 30 pounds;

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu