HIM Release of Information Specialist I

• Ensures, safeguards, and protects patients right to privacy by staying current and knowledgeable of all Federal and State Regulations and organization policies regarding privacy, confidentiality, and release of information pertaining to continuing care, insurance, patient, and social security disability requests.
• Receives requests, validates that the authorization meets legal requirements, and identifies requester type. Ensures all releases of information are in compliant with the request, authorization, policies, and State and Federal HIPAA regulations and guidelines to safeguard the organization from legal and government repercussions.
• Logs requests into the Release of Information tracking system utilizing OnBase and EPIC. Scans the authorization into the release module according to documented process.
• Identifies and accurately selects appropriate patient information that is included within the legal health record and designated record set to process the request and to comply with State and Federal regulations to prevent a breach or a complaint from the Office of Civil Rights.
• Locates and ensures any information that is imported or scanned into the EHR that is not available via the release module is included in the request as appropriate.
• Reviews each page of scanned documentation prior to releasing to ensure there are no incorrect patient documents in the record. Any improperly scanned documentation is reported to their leader for correction.
• Releases records in the format requested, creating electronic files to export to CD’s, e-mail, the patient portal, or requester portals. Understands potential dangers of lack of cyber security and follows rules around encrypting electronic communication, CD’s, and e-mail.
• Provides excellent customer service in a respectful manner, ensures understanding of customer requests and assists them appropriately; this includes, but is not limited to providing status of requests, providing information on how to request records, and explaining the process including typical turnaround times.
• Performs clerical functions which may include answering phones, copying, faxing, distributing mail, and/or ordering/delivering department or facility supplies., 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

This position is responsible for processing basic release of information requests in a timely and efficient manner ensuring accuracy and providing customers with the highest quality product and customer service. The specialist safeguards and protect the patient’s right to privacy by ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to the patient’s medical information and that all releases of information are in compliance with the request, authorization, company policy and HIPAA regulations.

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent

Certification / Registration / License

• N/A

Experience

• Typically requires 0-1 years of experience in healthcare or customer service.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service, and organizational skills
• Strong ethical skills to handle confidential information with integrity and keep it confidential
• Strong research skills to identify appropriate PHI in historical and current patient records
• Excellent spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills
• Ability to adapt to and accurately work with new technology and artificial intelligence
• Strong understanding of cyber security risks and proper reporting thereof
• Meet or exceed department quality and productivity expectations
• Advanced computer skills including proficient keyboarding skills and experience in using Microsoft Office products, electronic mail and/or electronic health information record systems
• Ability to read and comprehend medical terminology, human anatomy, and disease processes, and/or state and federal regulations related to HIPAA and release of medical information
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and make decisions with good judgement
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills including the ability to handle difficult situations
• Ability to prioritize workload, multi-task, and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment with time constraints
• Must have high attention to detail and accuracy

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Exposed to a normal office environment., * Preferred experience in customer service, release of information, health information management, or healthcare billing.
• Ability to read and comprehend medical terminology, human anatomy, and disease processes, and state and federal regulations related to HIPAA and release of medical information.

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more - so you can live fully at and away from work, including, * Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training

• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate’s job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over