Non-Government Collector - Patient Accounting - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Non-Union)

Keck Medicine of USC is a community creating a lasting impact in healthcare. Every team member contributes to a culture built on growth, collaboration, and well-being.

About the role

Manage patient accounts from the point of discharge through billing edits to contract management, ensuring final collection of the expected contract amount. Possess and maintain knowledge of governmental payer billing standards and collection requirements. Act as a collector and perform necessary follow-up to obtain appropriately owed reimbursement for hospital services. Responsible for all accounts with contracted insurance as the primary or current payer. Use work lists to follow up with governmental payers to liquidate submitted inventory.

Responsibilities

• Technical knowledge of billing and collections for Medicare, Medi-Cal, and local Medi-Cal entities; stay abreast of changes impacting billing and collections.
• Working knowledge of TARS and SARs processes and follow-up.
• Perform all necessary functions for appropriate billing, account follow-ups, and appeals to liquidate accounts payable.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and develop effective solutions.
• Actively contact payers by phone or mail when payment is delayed or underpaid.
• Handle customer calls and payer inquiries regarding charge inquiries, account status, etc.
• Process correspondence within 5 days of receipt.
• Resolve credit balance accounts in a timely manner.
• Resolve underpayments or denials to ensure accounts are paid per contracted rate.
• Knowledge of contract payers, rates, and agreements; ensure accurate insurance coding.
• Evaluate reimbursement amounts to ensure maximum payment for services; appeal underpayments.
• Obtain patient eligibility information by calling health plans or checking insurance contract websites; update insurance or forward claims to medical groups.
• Understand the payer matrix of financial responsibility and use this knowledge for appropriate follow-up.
• Document activity on patient accounts, including expected reimbursement amounts when calculated manually.
• Use initiative to resolve problems with appropriate action and follow-through, including documentation for patient/department issues.
• Identify workflow problems and utilize resources to maintain productivity.
• Accommodate changes in workload by assisting others.
• Keep supervisor informed of issues that may interfere with timely work completion.
• Adapt to unusual circumstances, promote cooperation, and minimize disruptions.
• Participate in reviewing, revising, and developing departmental policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous collection experience.
• Working knowledge of laws governing collections, insurance and medical terminology, and reimbursement procedures.
• Experience with medical services collections and computerized billing systems such as IDX.
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) – if no card upon hire, must be obtained within 30 days and maintained by renewal.

Pay

The hourly rate range for this position is $26.00 - $41.28. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.