Clara Castro
Aurora,IL
Summary
Capable Patient Representative dedicated to providing superior support for patients in need of reliable information regarding insurance coverage, finance options and documentation requirements. Well-versed in scheduling and database management functions for streamlined communication and reduced correspondence backlogs. Excels at identifying client needs and concerns to improve engagement strategies and overall service.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Patient Service Representative
Northwestern/Aurora Family Medicine RGM
04.2023 - Current
- Facilitated patient check-in process, ensuring accurate data collection and verification.
- Managed appointment scheduling, optimizing clinic workflow and minimizing patient wait times. Around 50-100 a day
- Responded to patient inquiries, providing timely information on services and procedures.
- Coordinated with healthcare providers to ensure seamless communication regarding patient care.
- Participated in ongoing training programs related to HIPAA compliance, maintaining up-to-date knowledge on regulatory requirements.
- Led efforts to streamline administrative processes, increasing overall operational efficiency in the office setting.
- Provided exceptional customer service to patients, answering questions and addressing concerns.
- Served as a reliable source of information for patients regarding appointment scheduling, insurance coverage inquiries, and general office policies.
- Assisted with insurance verification tasks, ensuring accurate billing and timely reimbursement for services rendered.
- Balanced deposits and credit card payments each day.
- Took copayments and compiled daily financial records.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with patients and staff.
- Applied administrative knowledge and courtesy to explain procedures and services to patients.
- Provided compassionate support for patients facing financial challenges, assisting them in navigating available resources and payment options.
- Verified patient insurance eligibility and entered patient information into system.
Office Manager
Fox Valley Neuro Diagnostic
08.2015 - 12.2022
- Streamlined office operations, enhancing workflow efficiency and reducing delays.
- Managed scheduling for patient appointments, optimizing resource allocation and staff utilization.
- Developed and implemented office policies, improving compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Oversaw inventory management, ensuring adequate supply levels and timely reordering processes.
- Trained new administrative staff on procedures and systems, enhancing team performance and cohesion.
- Facilitated communication between departments, fostering collaboration and information sharing.
- Analyzed operational data to identify areas for process improvement, driving overall productivity gains.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality of company documents and personnel records.
- Maintained accurate financial records by reconciling accounts payable/receivable transactions regularly to ensure balanced budgets.
- Reduced costs with meticulous budget monitoring and expense tracking for essential supplies and equipment.
- Processed medical billing and coding claims using advanced coding software and databases.
- Ensured compliance with healthcare regulations and billing guidelines to maintain accuracy.
- Reviewed patient records for proper documentation and coding, reducing discrepancies.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to resolve billing inquiries and disputes efficiently.
- Trained junior staff on coding standards and billing processes to enhance team knowledge.
- Educated patients about their financial responsibilities, promoting a better understanding of the billing process.
- Led audits of coding practices to ensure adherence to best practices, resulting in improved accuracy rates.
- Analyzed billing data to identify trends, improving reimbursement rates through targeted adjustments.
- Implemented workflow enhancements that streamlined claims processing and reduced turnaround times.
- Ensured proper reimbursement rates were applied by verifying payer contracts during claim submission.
- Provided support to billing team members, helping resolve complex issues and improve overall performance.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with insurance companies, facilitating effective communication and timely reimbursements.
- Reduced errors and rejections by conducting thorough audits of medical records and claims data.
- Streamlined the coding process for increased efficiency, resulting in faster claim submissions.
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSISTANT
VNA/WIC
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Managed the receptionist area, including greeting visitors and responding to telephone and in person request for information.
- Assisted with Spanish translation
- Made copies, sent faxes and handles all incoming and outgoing correspondence.
- Performed hematocrit, urinalysis, blood leads.
WIC Clerk
Kendall Health Department
01.2007 - 08.2010
- Processed WIC applications, ensuring compliance with eligibility requirements and program guidelines.
- Maintained accurate records of participant information in electronic health systems.
- Provided exceptional customer service, addressing inquiries and concerns promptly and professionally.
- Assisted clients in navigating nutrition education programs to enhance family health outcomes.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to streamline referral processes for additional support services.
- Participated in ongoing trainings and workshops to stay current on best practices within the field of public health nutrition support programs.
- Improved program efficiency through meticulous data entry of client information while adhering to strict confidentiality policies.
- Assisted management in meeting organizational goals by consistently achieving performance metrics in quality assurance audits.
- Organized food vouchers distribution process efficiently ensuring timely access for eligible families.
- Processed WIC applications and determined eligibility for program participation, ensuring families received proper assistance.
- Assisted in developing informative materials for clients to better understand WIC benefits and guidelines.
- Conducted thorough assessments of family needs to accurately determine benefit allotments.
- Resolved issues promptly and professionally, demonstrating empathy towards clients'' unique circumstances.
- Contributed positively to a collaborative team atmosphere by effectively communicating with colleagues and supervisors, sharing knowledge and providing support when needed.
- Educated participants on the importance of proper nutrition and supported them in making healthier lifestyle choices.
- Resolved discrepancies with client applications to verify eligibility.
- Processed and certified documents for accuracy and compliance with government regulations.
- Assisted clients with accurate eligibility form, application and document completion.
- Communicated with people from various cultures and backgrounds on application process.
Secretary's Assistant
Dupage County Health Department
09.2005 - 09.2007
- Managed scheduling for department staff, ensuring efficient use of resources.
- Coordinated communication between departments, facilitating timely information flow.
- Developed and maintained filing systems, improving document retrieval efficiency.
- Executed routine office tasks, enhancing departmental productivity and organization.
- Increased meeting productivity by preparing agendas, taking detailed minutes, and distributing necessary materials in advance.
- Provided exceptional customer service while greeting visitors at reception or via phone calls, directing them appropriately within the organization.
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
- Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, recordkeeping, and data entry for increased efficiency.
Administrative Clerk
Dupage County Health Department
01.2004 - 06.2005
- Managed correspondence and documentation for department operations, enhancing communication efficiency.
- Coordinated scheduling and appointments, optimizing staff availability and resource allocation.
- Maintained electronic filing systems, ensuring accuracy and accessibility of health records.
- Processed incoming requesand inquiries, delivering timely responses to community stakeholders.
- Assisted in preparation of reports and presentations, supporting departmental decision-making processes
- Balanced multiple roles to accomplish diverse tasks and make larger impact to organization.
- Reduced errors in data entry tasks by maintaining accurate records and utilizing verification methods.
Travel Wic Clerk Assistant
Dupage County Health Department
03.2001 - 03.2003
- Processed client applications and maintained accurate records in WIC system.
- Assisted clients with nutritional education and support resources.
- Coordinated appointments and managed scheduling for WIC services.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state guidelines during client interactions.
- Streamlined data entry processes, increasing accuracy of participant information.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to enhance service delivery for clients.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing efficient and accurate WIC services.
- Maintained detailed records of client interactions, facilitating smooth communication between team members.
- Streamlined appointment scheduling for clients, improving overall office efficiency.
- Engaged wider departments in accurate, timely paperwork completion.
- Established databases to track, analyze and automate eligibility application processes.
- Scheduled appointments with applicants to gather information and explain benefits processes.
- Sorted out jobs relevant to interests of candidates to forward information to candidates.
- Contributed to a positive work environment with strong interpersonal skills and proactive teamwork attitude.
- Greeted guests in with friendliness and professionalism.
- Strengthened client relationships through consistent follow-up communication and efficient problem resolution.
- Safeguarded sensitive information through proper documentation handling, data entry, and record maintenance procedures.
Education
Certified as a Tax Professional -
H&R Block
Aurora, IL01.2010
Certified Breastfeeding Counselor -
Illinois Public Health
Chicago, IL01.2003
High School - undefined
St Charles High School
01.2000
N/A - Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Illinois Public Health
Chicago, IL01-2001
Skills
- Excellent at time management, strong interpersonal skills, patient charting and medical electronic billing
- Customer service
- Payment collection
- Scheduling appointments
- Medical terminology
- Patient greeting
- Data entry proficiency
- Medical billing
- FLUENT IN Spanish
- Medicaid
- Patient education
- Interpreting physician order
- Verbal and written communication
- Electronic health records
- Medical filing
- Routing lab results
- Financial needs determination
- Appointment confirmation
- Check-in coordination
- Insurance billing
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking and organization
- Patient registration
- Call screening
- Team collaboration
- Payment processing
- Money handling
- Patient check-in
- EMR
- Friendly and outgoing
- Insurance company billing
- Data entry
- Medical coding
- Registration and scheduling
Timeline
Patient Service Representative
Northwestern/Aurora Family Medicine RGM
04.2023 - Current
Office Manager
Fox Valley Neuro Diagnostic
08.2015 - 12.2022
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSISTANT
VNA/WIC
01.2012 - 01.2015
WIC Clerk
Kendall Health Department
01.2007 - 08.2010
Secretary's Assistant
Dupage County Health Department
09.2005 - 09.2007
Administrative Clerk
Dupage County Health Department
01.2004 - 06.2005
Travel Wic Clerk Assistant
Dupage County Health Department
03.2001 - 03.2003
High School - undefined
St Charles High School
Certified as a Tax Professional -
H&R Block
Certified Breastfeeding Counselor -
Illinois Public Health
N/A - Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Illinois Public Health