Insurance Denials Analyst

General Summary

Responsible for monitoring payer denials, payment variances and ensuring system goals are maintained. Primary responsibilities include identifying, appealing and monitoring payer denials, and collecting third party contractual underpayments.

Principal Job Functions

• Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.
• Deciphers various aspects of contract reimbursement and performs analysis on differences between expected and actual reimbursement.
• Prepares and analyzes reports used to oversee third party payer activity, compares and interprets data to determine root cause of denials and uses the data to complete the appropriate resolution and implement efficiencies in the billing process.
• Provides information regarding payment discrepancies to Patient Financial Services Director and to Finance Administration.
• Participates in activities to identify and resolve patterns of incorrect payments by third party payers. Contacts and resolves incorrect payments with payers, including escalating unresolved issues and managing communication with payer representatives.
• Analyzes denials and follows up on identified discrepancies; works with other areas to resolve any patterns or issues including root cause of underpayments and denials.
• Advises department director or other managers throughout the Medical Center, the Revenue Integrity Liaisons, and alliance hospitals on regulatory changes which need to be addressed to optimize reimbursement or meet compliance.
• Acts as reimbursement advisor for Patient Financial Services; advises Revenue Integrity Liaisons and other medical center departments regarding managed care contracts and proper payments.
• Identifies contract management errors and works with internal departments to ensure correct reimbursement data is available.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
• Completes appeals and payer audits, including participating in federal payer audits – RAC, MAC, CERT, and QIO.
• Identifies contract management errors and works with internal departments to ensure correct reimbursement data is available.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of third party payer (Medicare, Medicaid, insurance) pre-admission, admission and discharge guidelines, including billing requirements.
• Knowledge of third party requirements for appeal and reconsiderations.
• Knowledge of billing and accounts receivable management, including CPT coding, ICD-10 coding, revenue coding, DRG coding, APC coding, and EAPG reimbursement methodologies.
• Knowledge of regulatory agencies and corporate compliance requirements related to reimbursement.
• Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.
• Knowledge of hospital managed care contracts, contract implementation standards and schedules.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify needs and priorities and implement effective work strategies and process efficiencies.
• Ability to collect, compare, sort and prioritize information to be used in analysis processes.
• Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to consistently meet predetermined deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, ancillary departments and vendor representatives.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• Minimum of one (1) year college coursework in accounting, coding, insurance or related field required.
• Minimum of three (3) years insurance billing experience in a hospital or professional environment preferred.