Maria Castillo
Weslaco,TX
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Office Specialist
Valley Pulmonary Group
McAllen, Texas
10.2020 - 02.2025
- Provided administrative support to medical staff, including scheduling patient appointments and managing physician calendars.
- Performed data entry of patient information into electronic health records system.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive patient information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Responded promptly to requests from medical staff members for assistance or information related to patient care.
- Greeted patients upon arrival at the office, checked-in patients, collected necessary paperwork, and provided directions to exam rooms.
- Answered and directed incoming calls in a professional manner.
- Registered patients and scheduled appointments.
- Collected information, verified insurance and collected co-payments for patients as part of check-in process.
- Received and screened telephone calls and visitors by determining or addressing needs.
- Scheduled appointments for patients via phone and in person.
- Routed laboratory or diagnostic results to appropriate staff.
- Answered telephones and directed calls to appropriate medical or adminstrative staff.
- Transmitted medical records and other correspondence by mail, e-mail, or fax.
- Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments and consultations.
- General Prior Authorization Duties• Processed and submitted prior authorization requests for medical services, procedures, diagnostics, and medications in accordance with payer guidelines.• Verified insurance requirements and ensured all necessary documentation was accurately obtained and submitted.• Monitored authorization status and followed up with payers to ensure timely approvals.• Ensured authorizations were correctly assigned, linked, and documented in the patient’s chart and visit encounters.Referral & Eligibility Management• Created, assigned, and tracked PCP referrals and specialty authorizations, ensuring compliance with insurance and organizational standards.• Collaborated with clinical and administrative teams to ensure authorization requirements were met prior to scheduled visits.• Communicated authorization status to providers, patients, and internal teams to support smooth and timely patient care.
Medical Office Specialist
Donna Children’s Clinic
Donna, Texas
01.2013 - 09.2020
- Performed data entry tasks related to billing and collections procedures.
- Greeted and checked in patients, updating patient information in computer system.
- Assisted with filing of medical records and documents, maintaining accurate electronic files.
- General Prior Authorization Duties• Processed and submitted prior authorization requests for medical services, procedures, diagnostics, and medications in accordance with payer guidelines.• Verified insurance requirements and ensured all necessary documentation was accurately obtained and submitted.• Monitored authorization status and followed up with payers to ensure timely approvals.• Ensured authorizations were correctly assigned, linked, and documented in the patient’s chart and visit encounters.Referral & Eligibility Management• Collaborated with clinical and administrative teams to ensure authorization requirements were met prior to scheduled visits.• Communicated authorization status to providers, patients, and internal teams to support smooth and timely patient care.
- Processed referrals for specialist care when requested by physicians or patients.
- Answered incoming calls, responding to inquiries from patients and other medical offices.
- Verified insurance coverage for appointments and collected co-payments as required.
- Protected patients by observing strict HIPAA guidelines.
- Entered insurance, demographics and health history into patient database.
- Scheduled and followed up on patient appointments, collected and processed patient payments and maintained patient files.
- Carried out daily tasks by professionally communicating with physicians, nursing staff, technicians and medical assistants.
- Retrieved faxes and uploaded documents to patient charts to assist clinical staff.
- Straightened up waiting room to maintain neat and organized space.
- Photocopied insurance cards, documented details and verified patient coverage for upcoming procedures or appointments.
- Answered telephones and directed calls to appropriate medical or adminstrative staff.
- Ordered and maintained supply inventory for medical office.
- Routed laboratory or diagnostic results to appropriate staff.
- Greeted patients, determined purpose of visit and directed to appropriate staff.
- Scheduled tests, lab work or x-rays for patients based on physician orders.
- Transmitted medical records and other correspondence by mail, e-mail, or fax.
- Ordered office supplies as needed to maintain inventory levels.
Education
Certificate - Medical Office Specialist
Kaplan College
McAllen, Texas11-2012
High School Diploma -
South Palm Gardens High School
Weslaco, TX05-2003
Skills
- Electronic health records
- Patient scheduling
- Medical terminology
- Customer service
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Prior authorization requests
- Patient referrals
- Front desk management
- Insurance verifications
- Telephone etiquette
- Typing and filing
- Answer telephones
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Medical Office Specialist
Valley Pulmonary Group
10.2020 - 02.2025
Medical Office Specialist
Donna Children’s Clinic
01.2013 - 09.2020
Certificate - Medical Office Specialist
Kaplan College
High School Diploma -
South Palm Gardens High School