Title: Patient Accounts Representative

Location: Administrative Office - Patient Accounts Department

City: Bellingham, WA

Position: Full-time, Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, non-exempt (hourly)

Compensation: The full wage scale is $18.23 - $25.85 per hour. Placement within the wage range is determined by a candidate’s relevant experience.

Bonus: Employees are eligible annually to participate in discretionary bonus programs, as determined by FCN, which include the Years-of-Service bonus program, the Quality Performance bonus program, and the Performance Recognition bonus program.

Job Summary: The Patient Accounts Representative's primary responsibilities include processing payments, denials and overpayments of accounts in the private or insurance category that is assigned to them in accordance with FCN policies and procedures. This role is performed onsite in the Patient Accounts Department.

Essential Job Functions:

• Posts patient payments, miscellaneous insurance, and contracted insurance payments and adjustments received through lockbox deposits or received electronically. Provides timely feedback to facilitate accurate claim submission.

• Process EOBs according to contractual agreement and in accordance with established FCN policies and procedures.

• Review and follow up on aging claims for specific insurance carriers.

• Work payment entry status report.

• Adheres to assigned work schedule (attendance and punctuality).

• Answer patient, insurance, and other billing inquiries.

• Generates refunds in accordance with established FCN policies and procedures.

• Communicate billing rule updates set by insurance carriers to appropriate individuals (manager, supervisor, team, and/or clinic).

• Balance payment batches, review, and sign off.

• Update demographics on the patient’s account as appropriate. Review and correct billing information on insurance denials.

• Employee seeks assistance as needed and communicates questions in a timely manner and to appropriate staff (supervisor, colleagues, etc.).

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Accurate & efficient keyboarding & data entry.

• Accurately performs detailed work (i.e. plan, multitask, organize, and prioritize work).

• Intermediate computer skills: Health information systems, EMR, MS Word & MS Excel.

• The knowledge base in claims processing for medical billing. Working knowledge of Form 1500, CPT, and ICD Codes. Calculate accurate payment amounts on insurance. Specialized knowledge of commercial insurance, and federal and state billing requirements.

• Strong customer service skills.

• Knowledge of a medical office practice and medical terminology.

• Solve problems, issues, and concerns in a professional manner.

• Work as part of a team; model a positive work ethic & customer-friendly relations.

• Prioritize and multitask detailed projects with frequent interruptions.

• Establishes good employee relations including conflict resolution.

• Discern and maintain confidentiality, in compliance with applicable State and federal laws (i.e. HIPAA).

• Comprehend and communicate information accurately and clearly (verbally and in writing, in person and via phone) with patients, all levels of personnel, and other individuals and groups.

About FCN: As an independent, locally owned, physician-run network of family medicine providers, we are passionate about our community's well-being. We take the time to build strong, long-term relationships with our patients and our employees. We have 11 clinics and 3 urgent care centers in Whatcom and Skagit County, in a beautiful corner of northwest Washington where the mountains meet the sea. Family Care Network offers an innovative and rewarding work environment, with a strong patient focus and a fulfilling mission.

Benefits:

Our health benefit programs are designed to take care of you and your family, offering flexibility and quality care.

• Our health benefits include: two medical plan options, a flexible dental benefit including orthodontia, vision coverage, Employee Assistance Plans, Flexible Spending Account program and Life/AD&D, Accident and Insurance insurance plans. Benefit eligibility is determined based on the full or part-time status of the position.

At FCN, we value the importance of time away from work for leisure, health and well-being. Staff members accrue a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program for vacation and short-term healthcare needs as well as an Extended Illness Bank (EIB).

• Our PTO and EIB benefits begin accruing from the first day of employment and employees are eligible to take paid time off after 60 days of employment. An employee accrues PTO at a rate based upon the number of months of service at FCN. A new full-time employee generally accrues 18 days per year. EIB accrues based upon the number of paid hours excluding overtime, with a full-time employee accruing a maximum of 48 hours per year. Benefit eligibility is determined based on the full or part-time status of the position. Employees who are ineligible for FCN’s PTO/EIB programs accrue Paid Sick Leave per Washington State law.

Our 401k retirement plan is designed to support you in preparing for retirement planning and include individualized financial planning guidance. Eligibility for the FCN Retirement Plan programs is determined based upon years of service and required payroll hours. We offer the following programs:

• 401k Plan with employer match; and

• 401k Profit Sharing Plan

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of a medical billing program, or a combination of education and experience in a role demonstrating similar skills and performance requirements.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to: stand; walk; sit; use hand to finger coordination, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include: close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust and focus.

Immunization Requirements: All employees at Family Care Network (FCN) are expected to meet and maintain required immunizations as a contingency of employment. The immunization requirements are as follows: Influenza (annually), Tdap (after the age of 19), MMR, Varicella or a verified history of chickenpox disease, Two-step TST or IGRA (within the last 12 months), COVID-19 vaccine completed series and any additional immunizations determined necessary for the protection of staff and patients. Hepatitis B is also required for employees in positions with a high risk of blood-borne pathogen exposure, which includes the following: Providers, RNs, LPNs, MA-Cs, PSRs at all Urgent Care Locations, and all-laboratory staff. The Hepatitis B vaccine is strongly recommended for all other employees. FCN will cover the cost of required immunizations for any FCN employee. All employee immunizations will be administered by FCN staff except for the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at a participating pharmacy or other healthcare location. Note: A medical or religious vaccine exemption/reasonable accommodation will be considered by submitting an FCN Exemption form for review and evaluation by the Chief Medical Officer.

Family Care Network is a Drug-Free, Equal Opportunity Employer.