Patient Access Specialist - Emergency Department

About the role

We are recruiting for a mission-driven Patient Access Specialist - Emergency Department to join our team!

We're with you for life's journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn't just something we believe in-it's something we live every day, for life's journey.

Job Summary

Under minimal supervision, the Emergency Department Patient Access Specialist collects and verifies comprehensive demographic and insurance information to ensure timely, accurate registration and billing for patients presenting through the Emergency Department, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, the OBED or via direct admission.

The role requires precise patient identification, payer verification, data entry in a high-volume, high-acuity environment, using mobile workstations and working closely with clinical teams to support efficient care delivery. This position maintains complete and compliant documentation, contributes to revenue integrity, and requires flexibility to work in a fast-paced setting while providing assistance across all hospital units.

Essential Functions

• Verifies and identifies patients, including unknown patients per policy, updates demographic information in the electronic health record, creates and maintains ED encounters, and produces identification bands and labels while coordinating with clinical staff during trauma activations. (15%)
• Collects and validates demographic, guarantor, and payer information; works closely with the Insurance Verification team to confirm coverage using eligibility tools; and completes required insurance screenings, including Medicare, Medicaid, third-party liability, and workers' compensation as applicable. Reviews payer benefits to determine patient financial responsibility, clearly explains financial requirements, and collects co-pays or deposits while performing cashiering and fund-handling activities in accordance with policy. (10%)
• Delivers compassionate, professional support to patients and families during high-acuity and sensitive situations, while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure effective care coordination, patient flow, and timely communication of critical patient information. (15%)
• Ensures timely and accurate completion of all required compliance documentation, including but not limited to, the Important Message from Medicare (IMM), Consent for Treatment, Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP), and Medicare Secondary Payer Questionnaire (MSPQ) and other mandatory regulatory documents, while maintaining accuracy in a fast-paced environment and adhering to EMTALA, privacy, and organizational policies to support billing integrity and efficient operational flow. (15%)
• Daily review and monitoring of assigned work queue volumes to capture missing registration items for patients admitted to the organization (15%)
• Conducts daily follow-up with admitted patients across all units, either in person or by telephone, to obtain required signatures and address any outstanding questions or account-related needs. (15%)
• Works closely with Case Management, Law Enforcement and Coroner offices to identify patients who have not been previously identified and contact patient family as needed. (15%)

Education

• No High School Diploma and/or No GED required

Work Experience

• 1-3 years relevant experience in a customer service business required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to type 25 wpm.
• Ability to prioritize and perform a multitude of duties.
• Ability to relate to a diverse patient population.
• Excellent telephone and customer service skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with Epic
• Shift
• Varies (United States of America)
• Work Type
• Regular
• Salary $21.00 - $25.68 / hr

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future - with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs.

We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development - while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you're joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer