Judy Ziolkowski
Chicago,IL
Summary
Patient Access Specialist with a decade of experience in prior authorizations for oncology and vascular/cardiac procedures. Streamlined authorization processes, enhanced patient communication, and improved operational efficiency to support high-quality patient care.
Overview
1
1
Certification
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Authorization Specialist
Community Health Network
Indianapolis, IN
03.2023 - Current
- Review patient medical records and provider documentation to ensure authorization requirements are met.
- Verified insurance eligibility, benefits, and coverage to ensure appropriate care access.
- Monitored authorization requests and followed up with insurance companies to secure timely decisions.
- Communicated authorization status, denials, and approval information to providers, patients, and clinical staff, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Prepared and submitted appeals for denied authorization requests. Maintain accurate documentation of all authorization activities in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
- Collaborate with physicians, nurses, tech and other healthcare professionals to facilitate patient care.
- Submit prior authorization requests to insurance companies for radiation oncology procedures, cardiac and vascular surgeries and procedures, imaging, and specialty services.
Patient Care Navigator/Procedure Scheduler
Rush University Medical Center/Cardiovascular, Cancer Center
Chicago, IL
08.2019 - 03.2023
- Coordinated office and procedure/surgical schedules for multiple physicians, ensuring optimal patient flow.
- Schedule patient appointments, procedures, tests and treatments.
- Obtain and process necessary medical referrals and authorizations.
- Ensure correct ICD/CPT coding.
- Managed patient information, including payments and insurance claims, to facilitate smooth billing processes.
- Managed front desk operations and assisted with back office rooming duties for patients.
- Executed management of database and file systems to ensure accurate record-keeping.
- Write and prepare reports and transcribe and type medical reports.
Medical Office Administrator
Gastroenterology
Chicago, IL
10.2015 - 07.2019
- Oversee the daily operations of a fast-paced , multiple physicians medical office
- Answer phones, schedule patients, collect co-pays, enter billing information, acquire necessary referrals and authorizations, triage, take vitals, order any necessary tests.
- Create and maintain all schedules (Physicians, Medical Staff, Patients).
- Schedule any necessary procedures to be performed in outpatient hospital setting.
- Facilitated top-quality communication among doctors, patients, employees, and staff to enhance service delivery.
- Fostered cohesive relationships between physician and staff, enhancing collaboration and patient care.
- Set a higher standard for customer service and patient care.
- Streamlined billing procedures, reducing insurance denials and improving revenue cycle efficiency.
- Achieved key performance goals
Medical Assistant/Secretary
Allied Physicians - Orthopedics/South Bend Clinic - Cardiology
South Bend, IN
10.2003 - 04.2015
- Oversaw front and back office operations, ensuring efficient workflow and patient care.
- Roomed patients, took vitals, performed EKGs, phone triage, discharged patients, scheduled tests and procedures for patients.
- Answered phones, scheduled appointments, verified insurances and prior authorizations.
- Performed medical secretarial duties for six physicians and two nurse practitioners, made travel arrangements, managed and maintained office/hospital and on-call schedules, verified and transcribed orders and written instructions of physicians.
- Increased patient satisfaction through superior customer service.
- Built and strengthened trusting relationships with multiple physicians and facilities.
- Conducted, monitored and maintained cardiac clinical trials.
- Successful completion and documentation of gathered clinical trial information.
Education
Bachelor's - English
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LAHigh school diploma -
Niles High School
Niles, MISkills
- EMR (10 years)
- ICD Coding
- Workflow Optimization
- Medical Billing
- Epic (6 years)
- Schedule Management
- EHR Documentation
- Patient Advocacy Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, NextGen, Epic, Practice Fusion CPR certified EKG certified
- Authorization Coordination
- Patient Care (10 years)
- Authorization Compliance
- Insurance Verification
- Scheduling (10 years)
- Medical Records (10 years)
Certification
CPR Certification, EKG Certification
Timeline
Authorization Specialist
Community Health Network
03.2023 - Current
Patient Care Navigator/Procedure Scheduler
Rush University Medical Center/Cardiovascular, Cancer Center
08.2019 - 03.2023
Medical Office Administrator
Gastroenterology
10.2015 - 07.2019
Medical Assistant/Secretary
Allied Physicians - Orthopedics/South Bend Clinic - Cardiology
10.2003 - 04.2015
Bachelor's - English
Louisiana State University
High school diploma -
Niles High School