Washington Gastroenterology believes that digestive health is the foundation for a healthy life. We are committed to improving the quality of life and longevity of our patients and our communities through the prevention, detection, and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

We are WAGI

WAGI is seeking a Full-Time Authorization and Insurance Verification Coordinator to join our billing team. The Authorization and Insurance Verification Coordinator is responsible for verifying patient insurance information prior to their scheduled appointment and ensures that needed authorizations have been obtained and are in place at the time of service at our clinics and surgery centers.

This team primarily works remotely from home supporting our clinics and endoscopy centers (must be Washington based, see specifics below).

Responsibilities

• Researches patients’ insurance benefits for authorizations/referrals required. Submits requests and monitors to ensure these are in place prior to the date of service.
• Communicates with the clinic regarding peer-to-peer reviews needed for denied requests.
• Reviews upcoming appointment schedule to verify valid insurance and eligibility is present for each visit. This is accomplished via gMed, internet-based systems, insurance websites, or telephone inquiries with the payer.
• Contacts patient, other providers, or insurance companies for updated insurance information as needed.
• Appropriately refers self-pay patients to financial counselor and refers bad debt/collection patients to collection counselor.
• Monitors add-on report and gMessages to ensure late add-ons have insurance verified and authorizations in place.
• Verifies network status of patient insurance and provides patients and staff with this information as needed.
• Accurately documents patient accounts to reflect all actions taken, or status of eligibility/authorizations, in billing system.
• Verifies eligibility for all Medicaid patients at the first of every month.
• Responds to inquiries from staff, physicians, patients and referring provider offices in a professional and caring manner.
• Works with the clinics to provide ABN and insurance waivers for patients electing to pay cash instead of utilizing insurance benefits. This can be the patient’s personal choice because the patient does not meet medical necessity guidelines under their plan, or because the patient does not wish to wait for an authorization.
• Establishes and maintains a professional and collaborative relationship with all staff to resolve problems and increase knowledge of insurance requirements.
• Reports changing insurance requirements to leadership.
• Identify and report compliance concerns to avoid fraudulent billing.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership staff.

Qualifications

• High School graduate or GED required
• 2 Years of experience working in a medical practice or healthcare system preferred
• Previous experience working in an administrative role preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Basic MS Office skills required (Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Ability to work effectively with co-workers as a team member
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Physical Activities and Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting/stationary work and performing administrative duties including the use of computers and phones
• Ability to bend, twist, stoop, and reach, rarely
• Able to lift and carry supplies and equipment as needed (up to 25 pounds)

This team primarily works remotely from home with training conducted onsite in Tacoma, WA. Candidates must reside and work in Washington State and due to unique city ordinances that impact employers, WAGI does not allow anyone to work remotely from Seattle, WA. The following conditions must be met for interested candidates in their remote location:

• Minimum internet connection requirements and surge protection in your home
• A home work environment that allows you to work free from distractions and sources of background noise and free of potential hazards including tripping hazards, electrical hazards, etc.
• Ability to secure and protect WAGI supplied computer, phone, and systems and ensure protection of Personal Health Information (PHI)
• Though this position provides the benefit of telework, it does follow a standard schedule based on the hours of operation

Washington Gastroenterology has an excellent compensation and benefit package that includes the following:

Employees (and their families) who work full time (defined as working 30 or more hours per week) will be eligible for medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and basic life insurance. In addition employees are able to enroll in our company’s 401(k) plan which includes a company provided safe harbor contribution of 3% of annual earnings and the potential for a company discretionary profit sharing contribution.

All employees will be eligible to accrue PTO at a rate of .04 hours per payroll hour (1.6 hours for a 40 hour week) which can be used for and exceeds the required mandatory WA State and other local ordinances. In addition, full time employees will be eligible for a Vacation accrual with a maximum annual accrual of 77 hours as a new hire.

WAGI has 8 standard Holidays each year for which full time employees are eligible to receive paid holiday. In addition, full time employees will be given 1 Float Holiday each year that they can schedule.

This is an Hourly position and the anticipated Compensation range is $19.13 - $22.50. The hired applicant is also eligible for annual discretionary bonuses.