Collections Position Description

POSITION TITLE: Collections

DEPARTMENT: Administration

REPORTS TO: Billing Supervisor/Business Office Manager

POSITION PURPOSE: The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in the day-to-day accounting functions of the facility in accordance with current acceptable accounting and cost reimbursement principles relating to health care and the Center’s operation as may be directed by the Administrator/Supervisor or General Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: As Collections you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. Under general supervision of supervisor or manager the collector is responsible for timely collection of claims to insurance companies from a wide variety of medical providers and facilities., as well as monitoring and ensuring payments for medical services are received in a timely manner. Collector may also function as an intermediary between healthcare providers, clients, patients and health insurance companies.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Exercises competency, thoroughness, follow through and service orientation while performing duties as evidenced by:

• Reviews patients bills for accuracy and completeness; obtains missing information.
• Knowledge of insurance, especially Medicare and Medicaid, rules and guidelines.
• Utilize a combination of electronic health record (EHR) and paper patients records to perform collection duties; maintain an accurate, legal compliant medical record.
• Review denials or partially paid claims and work with the involved parties to resolve the discrepancy.
• Manage assigned accounts ensuring outstanding/pending claims are paid in a timely manner and contact appropriate parties to collect payment.
• Communicate with health care providers, patients, insurance claim representatives and other parties to clarify billing issues and facilitate timely payment.
• Consult supervisor, team members and appropriate resources to solve billing and collection questions and issues.
• Maintain work operations and quality by following standards, policies and procedures; escalate compliance issues to supervisor.
• Implement written policies and procedures that govern the collection functions of the impatient facility.
• Record payments to appropriate log.
• Post payments received to appropriate patient’s chart.
• Prepare and mail statements
• Prepare reports and forms as directed and in accordance with established policies.
• Assist in reconciling statement as directed.
• Develop and utilize computer reports and output.
• Assist in preparing and implementation of changes in our collection system as necessary or directed.
• Report delinquent account to office manager.
• Data entry on all patients’ charges and refunds.
• Perform a variety of administrative duties including but not limited to: answering phones, faxing and filing of confidential documents; and basic Internet and email utilization.
• Maintains confidentiality on matters to which they are privileged.
• Functions as contributing team member while meeting deadlines and productivity standards.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Maintains active professional relationships with doctors and their office staff by assessing and meeting their needs and levels of satisfaction with the Center's services.

• Demonstrates a polite, courteous, and friendly manner at all times.
• Assists other office personnel with managing heavy phone traffic.
• Organizational skills are above average.
• Medical terminology & knowledge of medical and imaging procedures is current.
• Computer proficiency.
• Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Handles stressful situations with little or no supervision.
• Handles phone calls concerning patient accounts.
• Deals with the insurance companies and other payors in a professional manner.
• Assists in filing of charts, quality control of medical records, and patient registration procedures as needed.

EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENT

Demonstrates the ability to work well together as evidenced by:

• Welcoming new employees and helps orient them as requested.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Complies with State, Federal and local rules and regulations, and Center policies & procedures and bylaws as evidenced by:

• Maintains patient records according to established protocol.

SAFETY

Maintains office space in safe condition as indicated by closed work space and secured electrical wiring. Adheres to all facility safety regulations and guidelines regarding patient and staff safety as evidenced by:

• Attends safety meetings and training as evidenced by attendance records.
• Identifies, corrects, or reports unsafe conditions immediately.

RESOURCE AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Ensures the proper use of resources as evidenced by:

• Careful use of supplies to avoid waste.
• Reports to the appropriate person when supplies are low.
• Keeps accurate records.
• Uses appropriate human, financial, and material resources while considering the overall budgetary constraints.

PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITES

These activities are everyone’s responsibility. Actively participates as evidenced by:

• Understanding of Center’s Performance Enhancement Program.
• Understanding of the performance enhancement process.
• Completes Opportunity for Performance Enhancement Form when as opportunity is identified. Makes sure that there is appropriate follow through.
• Participates in Performance Enhancement Team Projects as appropriate.
• Completes assigned monitors in a timely and accurate manner.
• Keeps up-to-date with Center’s Performance Enhancement activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Ability to effectively manage the special tasks assigned in the position description. Knowledge of computers and medical terminology. Is courteous and works with physician’s offices and patients concerned with their financial responsibility. Well organized and able to keep accurate records. Ability to handle multiple tasks and set priorities. Handles stressful situations with little or no supervision.

Education/Experience:

Must demonstrate computer knowledge. Graduate of high school required. Some knowledge of accounting 10-key by touch and data entry skill required.

Physical Requirements:

• Spends most of the day sitting at desk and/ or a computer terminal.
• May need to bend or reach when pulling patient files/charts.
• Must be able to hear and speak clearly.

POSITION CONTENT

This position description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• Office

Experience:

• Medical collection: 2 years (Required)
• Medical billing: 1 year (Required)
• Medical terminology: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person