Patient Accounts Billing Specialist

Lake County•Waukegan, IL

About The Position

The Patient Accounts Billing Specialist is a valuable member of our Finance team who under general supervision performs work of considerable difficulty in assisting with the administration of the Health Department’s central billing office management program. The position has the responsibility for reviewing, researching, analyzing, and performing collections of outstanding patient balances. Ensures accurate records are kept for all sliding fee activity to ensure the agency complies with all appropriate regulations as required. Ensures patients with a spenddown amount within a government program have their services billed appropriately. Performs customer service and payment collection as assigned. Provides various patient management reports as needed. Use of multiple medical billing and financial programs are essential to this position. Strong problem-solving ability, high level analytical ability and critical thinking skills are needed to perform this role successfully. Scheduled Hours: 20 hours per week

Requirements

Completion of a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
two years experience using an Electronic Practice Management system.
Two years of collections experience in a provider setting.
Advanced Proficiency in Excel and utilizing ten-key data entry is required.
Experience with different reporting software.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree or certification in health information technology or accounting is preferred.
Bilingual is preferred.

Responsibilities

Responsible for processing patient refunds.
Responsible for processing patient bad debt.
Responsible for collection of private pay balances.
Assist patients with obtaining access to a LCHD navigator, setup of payment plans or Financial Hardship using established protocols.
Audit, analyze and correct patient sliding fee applications.
Re-bill and adjust patient accounts as necessary using the NextGen system.
Assist in deposit resolution between Treasurer’s, clinics and Finance.
Interpret and explain eligibility results.
Create patient management reports using the NextGen system.
Analyze and resolve accounts receivable aging issues.
Use Microsoft Excel to create spreadsheets to assist in the analysis of patient data.
Trace the transactions through NextGen from charge entry through claim creation as part of problem resolution.
Resolve all patient inquiries from internal and external customers.
Keeps thorough records of all activity including reporting and tracking of billing adjustments or corrections.
Develops and maintains a basic knowledge of services available at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Centers (LCHD/CHC).
Participates in quality improvement activities to assess, monitor and improve program services.
Participates in staff meetings, in service trainings, and seminars to facilitate professional growth and maintain licensure if required.
Involvement in quality improvement activities on an ongoing basis.
Assists with other projects and duties as assigned.