Hospice Intake Coordinator Springfield

Position Summary

The Hospice Intake Coordinator AKA Admission Coordinator (AC) is responsible for receiving and coordinating Hospice referrals from physicians, hospitals, facilities, and other community resources. The AC coordinates all hospice referrals and serves as the lead coordinator of all patient referral/admissions activity. This role works in collaboration with different departments to obtain necessary billing information, clinical preadmission information, and builds effective working relationships within the work group for the benefit of our patients and referral sources. The position works with and supports the families and patients directly at the beginning of their hospice experience which may include explaining benefits, coordinating care, and sharing knowledge about the services provided. The AC will positively impact the experiences of our patients and families, as well as increase our response time to referral sources all while creating a team environment between sales and operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures that all activities performed align with the leadership of the Hospice team.
• Serves as the lead coordinator of patient pre-admission activities and is responsible for all aspects associated with the referral management processing of Hospice referrals from physicians, hospitals, facilities, and other community sources.
• Coordinates Hospice services with referral sources, insurance companies, patients, and families.
• Processes patient referrals, coordinates the admission of patients, collaborates closely with hospice branch operations and sales team, and enters patient admission data after all requirements of hospice have been met and documented.
• Collaborates with different functional offices at to obtain necessary billing information, clinical information, referral source/account preferences, and builds effective working relationships within the work group for the benefit of our patients.
• Performs an initial screening/verification of benefits according to Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party payor guidelines, coordinates equipment with contracted vendors, and gathers supporting information and/or documents pertinent to patient admission to the program.
• Ensures that operations remain in accordance with policies and procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Accepts all new referral calls and monitors all referral fax lines and portals.
• Contacts the patient and family, Referral Source & Branch Staff within 1 hour of referral.
• Enters all information gathered accurately into HCHB.
• Confirms Hospice Service Line by obtaining sufficient client and insurance information.
• Performs an initial screening to determine suitability for admission to Hospice care according to Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party payer guidelines
• Maintains discretion as position could be exposed to highly confidential information
• Works with and supports the families and patients directly at the beginning of their hospice experience by explaining benefits
• Coordinates care and shares knowledge about the services provided and hospice philosophy with the patients and their families
• Impacts the experiences of our patients and families, as well as increases our response time to referral sources all while creating a Team environment between sales and operations.
• Confirms Benefit period and explains Hospice services, benefits and philosophy to patients, family members, and significant others.
• Provides accurate insurance and admission information to admission staff to ensure appropriate disclosure of rights and responsibilities, financial liabilities, and benefit plan details to patients and their families.
• Completes required payer source verification forms.
• Schedules appointment with patient and family for Hospice Informational meeting.
• Secures a Hospice Order for Evaluation/Admission. Confirms and obtains DNR.
• Coordinates Hospice DME/ medications are in place upon patient arrival and with Hospital Staff upon discharge to ensure smooth transition for patient when arriving home.
• Confirms and audits patient chart in HCHB, ensuring all necessary documents are signed, dated, and uploaded to HCHB.
• Provides Billing Coordinator, or designee, with insurance and billing documentation, patient location, patient level of care as needed for final confirmation prior to admission.
• Maintains communication with pending patients, families, referral sources and routinely follows the progress of any non-admissions
• Facilitates Stand Up meeting daily to ensure team alignment with pending referrals and non-admits.
• Ensures operations remain in accordance with policies and procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Will participate in rotating coverage for after-hour intake needs.
• Attends in services and continuing education programs when appropriate and assigned. Remains current on innovations, developments, new procedures, and techniques as it may pertain to referral information.
• Promotes philosophy, mission statement and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
• Maintains patient and staff privacy and confidentiality pursuant to HIPAA Privacy Final Rule.
• Performs other duties/projects as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements Must be minimum 18 years of age per state guidelines

Education:
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with current licensure in State of practice;

Experience:
• Minimum one (1) year experience with the direct care to the elderly, disabled or infirm required;
• Minimum one (1) year experience working in Hospice, Palliative Care or Oncology, or one (1) to three (3) years’ Home Health experience preferred;
• Experience in care management, care coordination, discharge planning, etc. is preferred.

EOE

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