Patient access areas, especially those responsible for obtaining prior authorizations and contesting denials, must have proper access to clinical information, urges David Hoogenboom, CHAA, team lead/patient access liaison III in the Outpatient Access Department at Danbury (CT) Hospital.
At Louisville, KY-based Baptist Healths seven hospitals, the focus on standardizing patient access and scheduling functions started two years ago, at the same time a new registration system was being implemented.
Patient access areas risk being short-staffed if leaders dont monitor patient volumes closely.
A task force made up of healthcare leaders and consumer representatives has reached consensus on how consumers can obtain clear and easy-to-understand information about their financial obligation for healthcare services, before any tests or procedures are performed.
Patient access areas need revamped processes due to new payer requirements for detailed clinical information, to avoid a sudden increase in claims denials.
