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

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• Technical knowledge of billing and collections for Medicare, Medi-Cal, and local Medi-Cal entities, staying updated on 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 and underpayments or denials to ensure payment per contracted rate.
• Knowledge of all contract payers, rates, and agreements; ensure accurate insurance coding is utilized.
• Evaluate reimbursement amounts to ensure maximum payment; 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.
• Resolve problems with appropriate action and follow-through, including documentation for patient/department issues.
• Identify workflow problems and utilize resources to maintain productivity.
• Assist others to accommodate changes in workload.
• 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, one must be obtained within 30 days and maintained by renewal.

About the employer

Keck Hospital of USC is a 343-bed acute care hospital providing exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital’s world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are conducted at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, offering patients access to novel and promising therapies. The team is dedicated to delivering highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

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 scope and responsibilities of the position, 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.