Emergency Department Patient Access Representative - Cooperstown, NY

Company: Optum
Location: Cooperstown
Posted on: June 30, 2025

Job Description:

$2,000 SIGN ON BONUS FOR EXTERNAL APPLICANTS Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data, and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. The Emergency Department Patient Access Representative is responsible for providing patient-oriented service in a clinical or front office setting; performs a variety of clerical and administrative duties related to the delivery of patient care, including greeting, and checking in patients, answering phones, collecting patient co-pays and insurance payments, processing paperwork, and performing other front office duties as required in a fast-paced, customer-oriented clinical environment. This position is Full-Time (5 days per week). Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our 8-hour evening shift schedules during our normal business hours including rotating weekends. Our office is located at 1 Atwell Rd Cooperstown, NY. We offer 6-8 weeks of on-the-job training. The hours of training will be 8 AM – 4:30 PM EST. Regular shift hours will be 3:00pm - 11:00pm rotating a weekend shift every other weekend. Primary Responsibilities: Communicates directly with patients and / or families either in person or on the phone to complete the registration process by collecting patient demographics, health information, and verifying insurance eligibility / benefits Utilizes computer systems to enter access or verify patient data in real - time ensuring accuracy and completeness of information Gathers necessary clinical information and processes referrals, pre-certification, pre-determinations, and pre-authorizes according to insurance plan requirements Verifies insurance coverage, benefits, and creates price estimates, reverifications as needed Collects patient co-pays as appropriate and conducts conversations with patients on their out-of-pocket financial obligations Identifies outstanding balances from patient’s previous visits and attempts to collect any amount due Responsible for collecting data directly from patients and referring provider offices to confirm and create scheduled appointments for patient services prior to hospital discharge Responds to patient and caregivers' inquiries related to routine and sensitive topics always in a compassionate and respectful manner Generates, reviews, and analyzes patient data reports and follows up on issues and inconsistencies as necessary Maintains up-to-date knowledge of specific registration requirements for all areas, including but not limited to: Main Admitting, OP Registration, ED Registration, Maternity, and Rehabilitation units What are the reasons to consider working for UnitedHealth Group? Put it all together - competitive base pay, a full and comprehensive benefit program, performance rewards, and a management team who demonstrates their commitment to your success. Some of our offerings include: Paid Time Off which you start to accrue with your first pay period plus 8 Paid Holidays Medical Plan options along with participation in a Health Spending Account or a Health Saving account Dental, Vision, Life& AD&D Insurance along with Short-term disability and Long-Term Disability coverage 401(k) Savings Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan Education Reimbursement Employee Discounts Employee Assistance Program Employee Referral Bonus Program Voluntary Benefits (pet insurance, legal insurance, LTC Insurance, etc.) More information can be downloaded at: http://uhg.hr/uhgbenefits You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in. Required Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED (or higher) 1 years of experience in a hospital, office setting, customer service setting, or phone support role Ability to work onsite in the Emergency Department at 1 Atwell Rd Cooperstown, NY Ability to work any of our 8-hour shift schedules during our normal business hours including rotating weekends Must be 18 years of age or older Preferred Qualifications: Experience with Microsoft Office products Experience in a Hospital Patient Registration Department, Physician office or any medical setting Experience in insurance reimbursement and financial verification Experience in requesting and processing financial payments Working knowledge of medical terminology Understanding of insurance policies and procedures Ability to perform basic mathematics for financial payments Soft Skills: Strong interpersonal, communication and customer service skills Physical and Work Environment: Standing for long periods of time (10 to 12 hours) while using a workstation on wheels and phone/headset PLEASE NOTE The sign-on bonus is only available to external candidates. Candidates who are currently working for UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare or a related entity in a full time, part time or per diem basis ("Internal Candidates") are not eligible to receive a sign on bonus. The salary range for this role is $ 16.00 to $ 28.85 per hour based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location, and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups, and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission. UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment. RPO RED

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