Little Axe Health Center / 15951 Little Axe Dr. / Norman, OK 73026
General Description
The role of the Dental Patient Coordinator is to orient and educate patient and their families by meeting them; explaining the role of the patient care coordinator; initiating the care plan; providing educational information in conjunction with direct care providers related to treatments; procedures, provide cost estimate and financial arrangements, prioritizing plan of care to maximize benefits and patient needs and continuing care requirements. The Patient Coordinator must be organized, possess strong phone and communication skills, and must be proficient with a computer. The Patient Coordinator must always be patient, understanding and be a pleasant and welcoming presence in the office.
Responsibilities & Duties
Verify the patient dental insurance and their benefits.
Explain insurance benefits to patients.
Ensure patient file is correct and all dental documents are up-to-date.
Enter data to patient files for both medical and dental benefits as “applicable”.
Handle incoming phone calls and directs inquiries appropriately.
Verify all insurance eligibility for dental benefits as applicable.
Calculate dental benefits and co-pays with accuracy and presents estimate with financial arrangement options to patient for future treatment.
Work with the Dentist and Assistants to ensure that scheduling proceeds in an effective manner.
Maintain patient care database by entering new information as it becomes available, verifying findings and reports and entering into the computer database.
Communicate with other Native Tribes: verifying patient benefits as well as sending invoices.
Safeguard confidentiality of the medical charts/electronic health records and complies with all local, state, and federal laws pertaining to medical records.
Assume compliance with all HIPPA regulations concerning use, retrieval, storage, and sharing of medical records.
Aid front desk with patient care and scheduling needs.
Process in house and outside referrals for patients.
Perform clerical assistance including requesting documents from providers, reviewing primary insurance status.
Perform routine clerical duties assisting in outgoing referrals and their status.
Enter client data into the appropriate database; maintains accurate files, and organizes data.
Handle prior authorizations from commercial insurances to ensure payment for procedures.
Coordinate appointments for patients with dental specialists.
Contact patient for follow-up appointments, rescheduling and referred appointments.
Maintain records for outside referrals and processes letters to the referring doctor.
Ensure proper and timely closing of tasks as it relates to referrals.
Ensure external 3rd party documentation is collected and entered in the patient’s charts.
Conduct communications between patient and dental staff, including relaying information from providers and gather information from patients as needed.
Call Customer Service or via Insurance Website to obtain the effective date, benefits and third party eligibility, and for other required information for processing individual patients.
Verify Sooner Care eligibility and other insurances.
Cross train as needed with Office Manager and Front office staff to ensure job coverage when needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Qualifications
High School Diploma with 2-5 years’ experience in dental office and insurance.
Dentrix Software experience preferred.
eClinical works EHR systems experience is preferred.
A working knowledge of dental terminology and physiology and legal aspects of health information.
Knowledge of accreditation standards and compliance requirements.
Must have knowledge of or experience in working with third party resources such as Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance, Contract Health or Coordination of Benefits, medical records, and patient registration.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must be reliable, detailed oriented, capable of multi-tasking with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong professional customer-service interpersonal skills.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to relate well with co-workers and the general public.
Ability to adjust to changing conditions.
Must be computer literate required (Windows operating systems – Microsoft Word, Excel).
Must have a valid Oklahoma Driver’s License.
Must be able to pass a background check and drug test.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Must be able to sit, stand, stoop, bend or kneel for long periods of time.
Sitting or standing or walking for long period of time; occasional bending, squatting, kneeling, stooping; good finger dexterity and feeling; frequent repetitive motions; talking hearing and visual acuity
Frequent lifting (up to 15 lbs)
Occasional lifting (up to 30 lbs)
Native American Preference/EEO/Drug Free/Smoke Free Workplace