Dental Treatment Coord III

Job Location: 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York 14642
Schedule: Full time, 40 hours per week, Day shift (United States of America)
Department: UDFG Dental Faculty
Compensation: $20.30 – $27.41 per hour (URCA 205 H). Individual pay will be set within this range based on market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise, and internal equity.

About the role

Manages and monitors dental status and financial compliance for the Dentistry patient base. Acts as a liaison between patients and providers to ensure appropriate dental records tracking, treatment planning, financial counseling, and accounts receivable management. Responsible for seamless and timely patient movement through the treatment plan — from maintaining appointments, treatment planning, financial arrangements, and approval phase through case completion.

Responsibilities

• Exercises tact, initiative, and independent judgment in making decisions using approved Dentistry procedures regarding security of complex, high-dollar dental accounts.
• Ensures accuracy of patient schedules and reviews provider schedules to ensure maximum utilization.
• Negotiates down-payments and authorizes repayment status for high-dollar, complex patient plans in accordance with Dentistry policies and guidelines.
• Reviews appointment history and upcoming payment obligations to initiate patient contact for payment-due reminders.
• Communicates treatment information to Billing personnel for timely submission of pretreatment estimates and insurance approvals.
• Acts as a resource to patients and care providers regarding the Medicaid approval process and other third-party billing issues.
• Collaborates with all members of the dental care team to facilitate superior communication with the patient for best treatment outcomes.
• Maintains good working relationships with other Dentistry care providers, Billing, and front-line staff to coordinate referrals and other treatments relevant to the patient's overall dental treatment plan.
• Serves as primary contact to Billing personnel, care provider, and/or Practice Manager or Administrator to resolve patient concerns.
• Performs check-in and check-out procedures.
• Processes payment.
• Makes referrals to Social Work as deemed necessary.
• Contacts referred patients, registers, and schedules New Patient Referral appointments.
• Maintains knowledge of New York State and local policies, regulations, and procedures related to compliance requirements.
• Responsible for insurance preauthorization; initiates insurance referral, verification, and/or service authorization in advance of treatment through review of dental insurance benefits and requirements.
• Performs other duties for supervisor as directed, including working on special projects and working with other support staff on special projects.
• Monitors accurate time reporting procedures.
• Provides input to clinical supervisor/administrator to improve the treatment planning process and other related patient care activities.
• Acts as authority in the absence of supervisor, exercising good judgment and tact.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent and 1 year of customer service and/or general office experience required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1 year of dental or medical office experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong customer service skills (via telephone and in person) required.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally required.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment required.
• Ability to work with a diverse patient and provider population required.