Denise Cortez
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Detail-oriented Patient Access Representative with extensive medical services background and strong work ethic. Managed patient-related accounts receivables at large medical facility. Excellent communications skills and empathetic nature enabled achievement of positive outcomes. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Patient Access Representative Lead
Christus Health
San Antonio, TX
10.2021 - Current
- Ensured compliance with HIPAA regulations to maintain confidentiality of sensitive patient information during all interactions.
- Adapted quickly to changing demands within the healthcare environment, demonstrating flexibility and a strong commitment to quality patient care.
- Provided excellent customer service through active listening skills, understanding patient needs, and offering tailored solutions where applicable.
- Managed challenging situations effectively by remaining calm under pressure while resolving conflicts or addressing dissatisfied patients professionally.
- Enhanced overall patient experience with empathetic communication and thorough explanations of insurance benefits and coverage.
- Maintained accurate patient records, contributing to a well-organized database for seamless information access across departments.
- Streamlined patient registration processes by implementing efficient data collection methods and reducing wait times.
- Assisted with administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, and report generation to support streamlined office operations.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to ensure timely appointment scheduling and coordinated follow-up care for patients'' needs.
- Trained new employees by providing guidance, instruction, and education.
- Audit referrals to ensure the process or quality system met requirements.
Billing Lead
Porter Medical Associates
San Antonio, TX
01.2018 - 10.2021
- Managed a team of billers, providing guidance, coaching, and performance evaluations for professional growth and development.
- Collaborated with sales representatives to ensure accurate pricing information was used for invoice generation.
- Improved patient satisfaction with clear communication on billing matters and prompt resolution of inquiries.
- Achieved timely payments from patients by sending reminders, negotiating payment terms, and resolving disputes promptly.
- Handled account payments and provided information regarding outstanding balances.
- Assisted in external audits by providing accurate documentation related to the billing process, helping to maintain a clean financial record for the company.
- Simplified complex billing data for management reports, aiding in strategic decision-making processes.
New Patient Coordinator
Sage Bariatric
San Antonio, TX
02.2017 - 12.2017
- Increased office efficiency by creating clear communication channels between staff, patients, and healthcare providers.
- Ensured a welcoming environment for all patients by maintaining a clean, professional front-office space.
- Contributed to practice growth by identifying opportunities for expansion based on community needs analysis data.
- Organized educational events for patients on various health topics, fostering a proactive approach to their wellbeing.
- Provided exceptional customer service, addressing concerns and answering inquiries promptly and professionally.
- Reduced patient wait times by efficiently coordinating with medical staff to ensure timely appointments.
- Maintained organized patient records for easy retrieval and accurate billing practices.
Medical Billing Specialist
Momentum Physical Therapy
San Antonio, TX
10.2014 - 02.2017
- Communicated with insurance providers to resolve denied claims and resubmitted.
- Posted and adjusted payments from insurance companies.
- Communicated effectively and extensively with other departments to resolve claims issues.
- Located errors and promptly refiled rejected claims.
- Identified and resolved patient billing and payment issues.
- Examined patients' insurance coverage, deductibles, insurance carrier payments and remaining balances not covered under policies when applicable.
- Ensured timely submission of claims to various insurance carriers, resulting in prompt payment for services rendered.
- Maintained strong working relationships with healthcare providers, fostering clear communication regarding billing-related matters.
- Analyzed complex Explanation of Benefits forms to verify correct billing of insurance carriers.
- Enhanced revenue collection through diligent follow-up on unpaid claims and denials with insurance companies.
- Researched CPT and ICD-9 coding discrepancies for compliance and reimbursement accuracy.
Charge Entry Specialist Lead
Ear Medical Group
San Antonio, TX
05.2007 - 08.2013
- Streamlined the charge entry process by collaborating closely with clinical staff to obtain necessary documentation.
- Ensured accurate reimbursement rates were applied during the charge entry process through consistent review of payer contracts.
- Supported the auditing process, thoroughly reviewing medical records to validate appropriate coding and charging practices.
- Managed high-volume workload while maintaining exceptional attention to detail for precise data input into the medical billing system.
- Improved charge entry accuracy by diligently reviewing and verifying patient demographic information.
- Contributed to practice growth by effectively coordinating with other departments to optimize billing processes across all service lines.
- Assisted in training new employees on charge entry procedures, promoting best practices for efficient workflow management.
- Expedited payment collection by submitting clean claims for reimbursement from insurance companies and patients promptly.
- Increased efficiency by identifying and addressing discrepancies in coding and charge entries promptly.
Education
High School Diploma -
Blessed Hope Academy
San Antonio, TX05.1990
Skills
- Customer Service
- Insurance Verification
- HIPAA Compliance
- Patient Registration
- Patient check-in
- Multitasking and Organization
- Appointment Scheduling
- Registration and Admissions
- Phone and Email Etiquette
- Medical Terminology
- Healthcare systems navigation
- EMR
Timeline
Patient Access Representative Lead
Christus Health
10.2021 - Current
Billing Lead
Porter Medical Associates
01.2018 - 10.2021
New Patient Coordinator
Sage Bariatric
02.2017 - 12.2017
Medical Billing Specialist
Momentum Physical Therapy
10.2014 - 02.2017
Charge Entry Specialist Lead
Ear Medical Group
05.2007 - 08.2013
High School Diploma -
Blessed Hope Academy