Patient Access Specialist 1 - Patient Registration

Under the general supervision of the Patient Access Supervisor or Team Leader, the Patient Access Specialist I follows established policies and procedures to accurately gather, verify, and record patient demographic, insurance, clinical, and financial information to generate a hospital account. This role is responsible for interviewing patients, verifying insurance eligibility and benefits, identifying patient financial responsibility, collecting copays at the time of service, and ensuring required authorizations are identified. The Specialist I ensures compliance with CMS, Joint Commission (JCAHO), and HIPAA regulations, explains required forms and obtains appropriate patient signatures, and collaborates with clinical staff, ancillary departments, insurance carriers, and external partners to support access to care and financial services. All duties are performed in alignment with the mission, vision, and values of Tampa General Hospital.

Essential Functions:

• Interviews patients or authorized representatives to obtain and verify accurate demographic, insurance, clinical, and financial information.
• Completes patient registrations accurately and efficiently in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and benefits and identifies patient financial responsibility, including copays and deductibles.
• Collects patient copays and required payments at the time of service in accordance with hospital policy.
• Identifies services requiring insurance authorization and communicates appropriately to support timely care.
• Explains required consent, financial, and privacy forms and obtains patient signatures as needed.
• Ensures compliance with CMS, Joint Commission (JCAHO), and HIPAA regulations during all registration and documentation activities.
• Investigates, resolves, and documents patient registration issues or concerns, escalating to leadership or clinical departments as appropriate.
• Collaborates with nurses, medical staff, ancillary departments, insurance carriers, and external partners to support patient access and financial services.
• Participates in required training, performance improvement activities, and department initiatives while consistently demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and customer service excellence.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED. Customer Service Experience.

Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of patient registration processes, insurance eligibility verification, benefit interpretation, and identification of patient financial responsibility.
• Understanding of CMS, Joint Commission (JCAHO), and HIPAA requirements as they relate to patient registration, privacy, and data integrity.
• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and empathetically with patients, families, staff, and external partners while maintaining confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, enter, and verify demographic, insurance, and financial information accurately to support timely billing and reimbursement.
• Ability to use electronic health record systems and basic computer applications to complete registration, documentation, and verification tasks efficiently.
• Ability to identify registration or patient concerns, resolve routine issues independently, and escalate appropriately to leadership or clinical partners when needed.