At Houston Methodist, the Accounts Receivable Specialist position is responsible for billing and follow up of insurance or institutional accounts receivable and is considered an expert in billing and collection guidelines for insurance or institutional accounts. Duties include preparing and processing claims, clearing billing edits, claim validation and submittal, and receivable follow up (e.g. collections, payment review, denials management), and where applicable transfer of charges, record maintenance, ensuring accurate registration, and maintaining applicable documentation. This position ensures that all claims billed to the insurance or client are compliant with state and federal regulations, grant provisions or provider agreements, and all payments received are timely and correct. The Accounts Receivable Specialist interacts with all Central Business Office (CBO) sub-units and other hospital service areas daily and cultivates good business relationships to promote harmony and effective communication to resolve patient and billing concerns post care.
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
Some college education preferred
EXPERIENCE
Five years of experience in hospital billing and insurance follow up, preferably in a large volume setting
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred
CRCS - Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (AAHAM) or
Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT) through the American Association of Health Care Administrative Management (AAHAM), or other hospital billing certification such as EPIC)
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Extensive knowledge of claims reimbursement and insurance collection practices (for Managed Care, Medicare/Medicaid, Workers Comp, etc.); knowledge of how to interpret payor contracts, guidelines, and/or requirements
Extensive knowledge of billing, collections, reimbursement, contractual agreements and the appeals process
Ability to follow-through and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Excellent communication and negotiation skills, as well as an ability to work independently and interdependently with other business office staff
Good judgment in account resolution and ability to apply a professional approach in working with patients and insurance companies
Sharp analytical abilities in order to resolve patient/insurance accounts timely, accurately, and compliantly
Proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs
Knowledge of insurance account receivable and revenue cycle
Expert knowledge of the various state and federal insurance programs
Ability to partner with various hospital departmental counterparts
Working knowledge of International Classification of Disease (ICD) coding (procedure and diagnoses), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department and organizational results
Collaborates with other departments and/or vendors as needed to ensure claims are billed and resolved compliantly and timely
Strikes a balance between maintaining trustful relationships and ensuring timely account resolution. Exhibits professionalism and trustworthiness
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Responds appropriately, thoroughly and timely to customer requests, questions, or referrals
Reviews incoming correspondence and takes appropriate action. Responds promptly to payor's request for additional information/documentation
Informs manager of payor trends or any problems or changes in payor requirements, including any barriers or obstacles
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Meets or exceeds stated departmental standards for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) (e.g., inventory management, productivity, quality reviews, agings, etc.)
Fully utilizes available technology to submit claims or client invoices timely, accurately, and compliantly
Provides clear and concise documentation of every action taken on an account in the system notes. Provides balance detail to clearly identify account resolution and next responsible party or next steps to resolution as needed
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Accurately and compliantly resolves insurance or institutional balance after payment or adjudication, and correctly identifies any patient liability (i.e., contractual/payment review, etc.) and ensures accurate resolution of account to payment or client terms
Works receivable inventory within department standards including, as applicable: maintaining list of institutional accounts; documenting agreement arrangements or reasons for outstanding balances; performs collection efforts; establishing or correcting new client or patient accounts; coordinating and/or posting adjustments, contractual allowances, or refunds within levels of authority; submitting appeals on denied claims to ensure appropriate reimbursement as needed.
Where applicable and as prompted by management, provides status of the outstanding receivables or inventory including outstanding balances, charging practices and payment or payer trends, and any barriers or obstacles to payment
Uses resources effectively and efficiently. Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Stays current on collection procedures related to various payors, industry trends or client agreement terms. Actively engages in personal assessment and expands learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development (i.e., participates in training opportunities, focal point review activity, etc.). Applies new learning
Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
Uniform: No
Scrubs: No
Business professional: Yes
Other (department approved): Yes
ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
On Call* No
TRAVEL**
Travel specifications may vary by department
May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
Some college education preferred
EXPERIENCE
Five years of experience in hospital billing and insurance follow up, preferably in a large volume setting
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred
CRCS - Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (AAHAM) or
Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT) through the American Association of Health Care Administrative Management (AAHAM), or other hospital billing certification such as EPIC)
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist is one of the nation's leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
