The PreAccess Specialist performs pre-registrations for scheduled accounts for multiple UnityPoint Health affiliates via contact with patients, physicians or appropriate information sources. Responsibilities include obtaining insurance eligibility, providing information regarding benefits for inpatient and outpatient, and assisting with scheduled and nonscheduled visits. Additionally, the PreAccess Specialist will update demographic and insurance information in the system as needed. Other job duties include initiating collection process by creating and mailing estimates, contacting patients/representatives about date of service deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, establishing financial arrangements with patients according to policy, and being a primary documentation source for access and billing staff. 

Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm 

Location: Remote - applicants preferably reside in the UnityPoint Health footprint of Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin. 

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.  

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health. 

Pre-Registration:

• Obtains daily work through systems’ work queues and reports as assigned by supervisor
• Completes eligibility check and obtain benefits though electronic means or via phone contact with insurance carriers or other agencies
• Contacts patients/families/physicians to obtain additional demographic/insurance information and update in computer system if needed in order to proceed with verification process
• Demonstrates subject matter expertise with insurance requirements across multiple affiliates
• Accurately and thoroughly collects, analyzes and records demographic, insurance/financial and clinical data in computer system
• Ensures information source is appropriate
• Explain benefits and request copay, coinsurance and portion of deductible
• Follows department policy for payment or nonpayment responses
• Requests patient to bring required documents on day of service, i.e., physician orders, insurance cards, claim forms, liability information, photo ID, etc.
• Documents in system the need for front-end Patient Access Associate to collect at time of service any copay or deductible that could not be collected during the preregistration process
• Identifies patients in financial hardship and refer to Patient Financial Coordinators for charity/financial assistance
• Refers to Cash Posting Specialists any patients requiring payment plans
• Completes registration checklist
• Documents on accounts using hospital account note with activity comments to ensure easy account follow up
• Follows EMTALA, HIPAA, payer and other regulations and standards

Customer Service:

• Adheres to department customer service standards
• Demonstrate the FOCUS values to provide the best customer services to patients, customers, vendors, and team members
• Acts willing and ready to assist department personnel with their duties as time permits or need arises
• Readily identifies work that needs to be performed and completes it without needing to be told

• High school diploma or GED 
• Two years of experience in a hospital patient access/patient accounts department, medical office/clinic, or insurance company 
• Experience interacting with patients and 3rd party payers and collections
• Experience with insurance verification, payer benefits and eligibility
• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred