Job Description for a Front Office Medical Manager
A front office medical manager typically oversees the administrative duties of the facility. They are responsible for moving the patients through the intake and checkout process. Front office medical managers must ensure that all procedures, from pulling the correct patient files to charting insurance information, are closely followed so that the medical team can concentrate on the well-being of the patients. Front office managers must interact smoothly with back office personnel as well.
Greeting
In small medical practices the front office medical manager may perform the duties of the receptionist who greets patients as they arrive, signs them in and prepares them for the appointment by updating patient files, letting medical staff know when patients have arrived and answering questions. In larger facilities, the medical manager supervises those who are the first contact for arriving patients. Front office personnel must be friendly and possess the ability to work with patients of all kinds and demeanors.
Paperwork
The front office staff, under the direction of the front office manager, takes payments, which include co-payments and insurance information. They usually copy the insurance and identification cards of arriving patients and pull the patient files. They keep track of the waiting room and monitor the arrival and departure of appointments throughout the day. The front office staff typically checks patients out as they leave and makes sure that all the necessary paperwork is in order, such as making sure the coding and billing forms are filled out and the patient has the proper instructions.
Phones
Front office managers and the staff they supervise usually answer the office telephones. They make appointments in smaller offices and transfer callers to the appropriate departments in larger practices. They field calls from patients who are running late or cancel appointments. They answer questions and provide directions. The front office receptionist is usually the first person that sees the pharmaceutical representatives who call on doctors' offices. Many front office managers and front office staff make outbound calls to remind patients of upcoming appointments.
Collections
Many front office managers oversee the billing procedures for the facility and interact with insurance companies. They operate the medical records software programs and make sure that accounts are up to date and paid on time. Front office managers must be fluent in medical terminology and the various software applications utilized by the facility.
Medical
Front office managers often work directly with the medical staff to prepare patients to be seen by the physicians and nurses. They may escort patients to the appropriate rooms and direct them prepare for the doctor. Some offices require medical training of their front office managers and staff so that they can participate in work-ups and take medical histories, blood pressure and blood samples.
Tags: office managers, Front office, front office, Front office managers, front office, front office staff
