Patient Access Specialist III #Full Time

Top Healthcare Provider Network

The 61st Street Service Corporation, provides administrative and clinical support staff for ColumbiaDoctors. This position will support ColumbiaDoctors, one of the largest multi-specialty practices in the Northeast. ColumbiaDoctors’ practices comprise an experienced group of more than 2,800 physicians, surgeons, dentists, and nurses, offering more than 240 specialties and subspecialties.

Job Summary:

The Patient Access Specialist III – Radiology supports system-wide radiology scheduling, prior authorization, financial clearance, and revenue cycle coordination within a high-volume call center. This lead-level role manages complex imaging appointment workflows (MRI/CR/PET/CT, Ultrasound, Interventional Radiology, and other diagnostic services) while proactively identifying and resolving authorization, insurance, and financial barriers that may delay patient care.

The Specialist serves as a liaison between Radiology, the Clinical Revenue Office (CRO), billing teams, referring providers, and patients to ensure accurate scheduling, financial transparency, and compliance with payer requirements. This role also provides mentorship to team members, supports quality assurance initiatives, and promotes an exceptional patient experience aligned with organizational standards of Service, Trust, Safety, Inclusion and Communication.

Job Responsibilities:

Radiology Scheduling & Authorization Oversight

• Schedule complex radiology appointments ensuring correct modality, exam type, provider, and location selection.
• Review scheduled imaging appointments to identify prior authorization and financial clearance risks.
• Conduct authorization reviews at the time of scheduling and again within 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment.
• Monitor authorization status and ensure peer-to-peer reviews are completed when required.
• Cancel and reschedule radiology appointments when authorization or financial clearance cannot be secured prior to date of service, in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Communicate clearly with patients regarding preparation instructions, arrival times, required documentation, and safety precautions.
• Escalate complex authorization or payer-related issues to management or CRO as appropriate and track through resolution.
• Ensure Workers’ Compensation and No-Fault radiology cases are properly documented and authorized prior to service

Leadership & Operational Support

• Serve as liaison between Radiology, CRO, Patient Access, billing teams, and referring providers to resolve complex cases.
• Mentor and train Patient Access Specialists on radiology scheduling, insurance registration, and authorization workflows.
• Assist with quality assurance reviews to ensure scheduling accuracy and financial clearance compliance.
• Identify workflow gaps and recommend process improvements to leadership.
• Support operational coverage needs and assist management with workflow adjustments.

Patient Financial Estimates & Clearance

• Support radiology-specific estimate workflows, including:
  • Authorization-related denials impacting imaging services
  • High deductible and coinsurance reviews
  • STAT estimate requests
  • Patient outreach regarding out-of-pocket responsibility and add-on imaging services
  • Work Radiology Estimate Workqueues (WQs).
• Clearly explain patient financial responsibility.
• Collaborate with CRO and billing teams to resolve estimate discrepancies and ensure accurate documentation prior to service.
• Assess financial risk for appointments not cleared prior to service; independently resolve low-risk cases and escalate high-risk cases as appropriate.

Billing & Revenue Cycle Support

Client Account Support - SNF & External Accounts

• Support Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and contracted radiology accounts following payer denials or recoupments.
• Manually bill SNF radiology claims when required and follow up with clients and SHS regarding claim posting and resolution.
• Coordinate with referring offices to resolve billing and authorization discrepancies.

Payment & Charge Reconciliation

• Reconcile radiology payments and payment transfers in coordination with SHS.
• Identify and reconcile missing consultation, interpretation, or technical charges.
• Assist in resolving charge discrepancies prior to claim submission.

Epic Reporting & Charge Capture

• Run standard Epic radiology billing reports to support follow-up and reconciliation activities.
• Review billing and authorization WQs.
• Manually post-placeholder charges when required.

Billing Provider & Bill Area Maintenance

• Assign correct billing provider to drug codes based on the interpreting/reading radiologist.
• Manually update bill areas on claims built by CPT code, provider, and radiology department to ensure accurate claim submission and reporting.
• Ensure claims align with appropriate billing structures prior to submission.

Job Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in healthcare scheduling, radiology patient access, authorization, or revenue cycle functions.
• Strong knowledge of radiology imaging services, terminology, and payer authorization requirements required.
• Demonstrated experience handling complex financial clearance and billing related workflows.
• Advanced customer service skills and the ability to maintain a pleasant and helpful demeanor through all situations. Including the ability to maintain a professional demeanor under pressure due to the high volume and urgent nature of calls.
• Ability to work independently in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely and ensure understanding of information by patients and customers.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word & Excel) or similar software is required and an ability and willingness to learn new systems and programs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a culturally diverse staff and patient/family population, demonstrating tact and sensitivity.
• Ability to work independently and follow-through and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must be a motivated individual with a positive and exceptional work ethic.
• Associate's Degree or higher preferred.
• Prior experience in Radiology, Financial Clearance or Revenue Cycle Operations is preferred.
• Customer service experience in a Call Center environment is preferred.
• Experience in high-volume ambulatory setting preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Hourly Rate Ranges: $30.77 - $36.54

Note: Our salary offers will fall within these ranges based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to experience, skill set, training and education.

61st Street Service Corporation

At 61st Street Service Corporation we are committed to providing our client with excellent customer service while maintaining a productive environment for all employees. The Service Corporation offers a competitive comprehensive Benefit package to eligible employees; including Healthcare and various other benefits including Paid Time off to promote a healthy lifestyle.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and we adhere to all requirements of all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws.