Patient Accounting Specialist - Support Personnel

Health First Careers•Melbourne, FL

About The Position

The Patient Accounting Specialist supports the Health First Medical Equipment business office in meeting accounts receivable goals through timely billing and collections. The role generates daily work for account representatives and handles complex claim processing, collections, and account resolution. It also supports staff training and adherence to departmental procedures, provides office support, and helps deliver registration and patient paperwork to patient care areas. The specialist works with patients, families, payers, Patient Business Services teams, Health First associates, and physician office staff to provide service and achieve accounts receivable, cash, and bad debt goals.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
Three years of experience in a health care facility.
Thorough knowledge of computer applications used within the department.
Advanced coding experience in ICD-9, CPT, and HCPCS.
Good understanding of medical terminology.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
General understanding of accounting principles.
Thorough knowledge of state and federal contracts and managed care.
Thorough knowledge of government programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare.
Ability to sit at a computer terminal and telephone for extended periods.
Ability to lift 40 pounds.
Ability to remain calm during stressful situations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities.
Ability to work independently.

Nice To Haves

College experience or an associate degree.
Coding certification.

Responsibilities

Generate daily workflows for account representatives by obtaining claims through computer-generated system downloads.
Review, verify, edit, and troubleshoot complex claim information before submission or transmission.
Follow up on claims or forward them to the appropriate individual or department; update, submit, and transmit claims; verify transmission confirmations; and document actions and findings.
Contact responsible parties to assess ability to pay, establish payment arrangements, or offer financial assistance such as charity, Medicaid, or government assistance.
Complete and review financial assistance applications under established guidelines, follow up or refer as appropriate, and document actions and findings.
Resolve complex accounts by detecting and correcting errors, processing contractual adjustments and write-offs, identifying payer-specific edits, and researching and correcting payer or account problems.
Negotiate payer issues within Patient Business Services policies.
Train new staff on department procedures and computer applications, and ensure associates follow policies and understand regulatory procedures.
Oversee and participate in staff adherence to departmental guidelines and procedures; communicate staff performance matters to the department supervisor.
Perform office support and other assigned duties.
Deliver patient and registration paperwork and plates to patient care areas in a timely manner.
Provide registration and other job-related support to meet patient and family needs.
Maintain effective relationships with Patient Business Services areas, Health First associates, and physician office staff.
Identify trends and recommend corrective action.
Help meet Patient Business Services goals for accounts receivable, cash, and bad debt by collecting deductibles and copayments from insured patients and deposits or payments from self-pay patients.
Assist in achieving the Patient Business Services accounts receivable days goal.