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

Keck Medicine of USC is a community creating a lasting impact in healthcare, where 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, using work lists to follow up with governmental payers and liquidate submitted inventory.

Responsibilities

• Technical knowledge of billing and collections for Medicare, Medi-Cal, and local Medi-Cal entities; stay updated on changes impacting billing and collections.
• Working knowledge of TARS and SARs processes and follow-up.
• Perform all necessary functions for account follow-ups, appeals, and liquidation of 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/denials to ensure payment per contracted rate.
• Knowledge of contract payers, rates, and agreements; ensure accurate insurance coding.
• Evaluate reimbursement amounts to ensure maximum payment; appeal underpayments.
• Obtain patient eligibility information via calls to health plans or insurance contract websites; update insurance or forward claims to medical groups.
• Understand 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 maintain productive workflow using available resources.
• Adapt to workload changes 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.

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) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal/state/local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

About the organization

Keck Hospital of USC is a 343-bed acute care hospital providing exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions. 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 available, offering patients access to novel and promising therapies. The team at Keck Hospital goes beyond the science of medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in care, combining highly specialized treatment with innovative research.