Credit & Collection Patient Account Specialist

Description

The Credit/Collection Clerk performs all tasks necessary to ensure accurate and timely billing and collection of all self-pay accounts for medical services provided by Hillsboro Area Hospital. Prepares accounts for bad-debt write-offs. Sends delinquent account to outside collection sources. Posts daily deposits to appropriate accounts. Follow-up to ensure insurance companies are reimbursing us correctly. Completes follow-up of workers’ comp and VA claims. Assist patients with Financial Assistance, notify them of status of application and maintains the Financial Assistance log. Normally scheduled Monday through Friday. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports and promotes an environment conducive with the Mission, Vision, and Values of the hospital.
• Interview self-paid customers prior to service, when possible, to inform them of estimated balances due, insure deposits are received.
• Posts payments received in the mail and electronically to correct accounts and ensures it balances daily. 
• Follow up on workers’ compensation and VA claims to ensure they are being processed for payment at least monthly.
• Maintains and follows-up on accounts where the insurance company has not paid according to our contract, utilizing the Contract Management software.
• Run required reports and forwards to Early Out vendor as scheduled.
• Identifies possible charity and/or uninsured applicants and determines charity or uninsured eligibility.
• Prepares accounts for bad-debt write-off when all efforts have been exhausted.
• Sends delinquent accounts to outside collection source for collections in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintains and completes follow-up on credit balances for self-pay and bad debt accounts.
• Consistently records follow-up in visit notes. 
• Answers patient billing questions in a professional and courteous manner
• Respond to written communication from guarantors or payers on the day it is received.
• Review payer billing and payment information when it is received, 
• Maintain orderly condition of assigned work area.
• Maintain confidentiality of all patients, hospital, and physical related information
• Is knowledgeable of general hospital and department specific policies and procedures.
• Other duties may be assigned and are subject to change with or without prior notice.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes assigned daily duties.
• Accepts reassignment to other units if necessary.
• Follows expected work practices.
• Displays thoroughness and accuracy of work.
• Works in a safe manner, including reporting unsafe equipment or environment.
• Well organized, accepts assignments willingly and accomplishes them quickly.
• Anticipates problems and suggests solutions.
• Helps with not specifically assigned duties.
• Works steadily and always keeps busy.
• Ability to work well with a diverse work team.
• Ability to work under pressure with time constraints.
• Ability to concentrate.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work well with numbers.
• Good mental health and emotional maturity
• Maintain appearance appropriate for job duties.

(The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, and indeed additional responsibilities may be assigned, as required, by Hillsboro Health.)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None 

Requirements

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalency 
• Minimum 1 year experience in hospital insurance billing procedures preferred.
• Knowledge of collection law helpful
• Minimum 2 years’ computer experience with proficiency in multiple computer applications preferred.
• Works well with numbers
• Required proficiency in general clerical office duties, i.e., computer keyboarding, calculator, with average typing skills.
• Excellent customer services skills                            

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable sitting 
• Constantly required to use arms, hands, and fingers for repetitive movement - typing, and occasional grasping, pulling, and pushing  
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is sedentary. 
• Duties are performed within comfortable climate-controlled surroundings.
• Frequent contact with patients, account guarantors, and insurance companies 
• Interacts with Information Systems, Health Information Management, Nursing Staff and Case Management.

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE

Receives training and/or attends necessary meetings to meet the criteria as outlined in Hillsboro Health’s Corporate Compliance Plan and Code of Conduct. Understands the responsibilities related to compliance and knows how to contact the Corporate Compliance Officer should there be any instance of question or concern regarding fraud and/or abuse.