Responsibilities:

The Admissions Coordinator is that person who coordinates the information received in the hospice program concerning referrals and potential admissions. This person receives all telephone inquiries and referrals from all sources including the general public, families, social agencies, medical facilities, medical practitioners, and Insurance Carriers. The Admissions Coordinator follows the standard and approved practices of the Admissions Department in responding to all inquiries and referrals including, but not limited to, requesting intervention from the hospice nurses, compiling statistical data, maintaining a file of inquiries which have not become active admissions, maintaining telephone contact with families and others who are considering hospice care and compiling all completed paperwork of internal documentation required in order to admit a patient into the hospice program. The Admissions Coordinator initiates the face sheet with identifying documentation, verifies pay sources and negotiates rates for hospice services with third party carriers. This position receives and processes all inquiries, requests intervention from the hospice nurse, as necessary; complies all statistical data, maintains handouts and marketing material, and develops admissions reports as requested. This position reports directly to the Director of Admissions.

Functions:

• Receive and process information inquiries:
  • Explain the hospice program of care; the Medicare Hospice Benefit and general information on response to inquiries.
  • Obtain basic information from the caller including age, location, general health status of the patient, as well as general needs/concerns of the patient/family.
  • Contact inquirer periodically to provide additional information and assist with help as requested.
• Receive and process all incoming referrals.
  • Complete referral/intake information.
  • Contact attending physician to obtain approval for admission.
  • Verify pay source and negotiate all third party insurance benefits.
  • In situations where third party coverage appears to be insufficient to pay for hospice services, consult with Director of Admissions.
• Set up and implement a routine follow-up system for all “not taken under care” referrals (NTUC).
  • All NTUCs will be signed by the Director of Admissions.
  • All NTUCs will be documented, including the reason for not taking the patient.
• Keep a master copy of all admission forms and monitors the availability of forms file.
• Update the Director of Admissions daily on current status of all referrals.
• Prepare statistical reports of all activity related to the admission process as directed.
• Perform Consent Audit on all signed consents and turn them over to designated clinical team member within 48 hours of admission.
• Other duties as assigned.