Patient Account Representative (Per Diem)

Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, located in Bakersfield, California, is an acute psychiatric and behavioral 90-bed facility offering inpatient and outpatient services for children, adolescents, and adults needing mental/behavioral health, chemical dependency, and co-occurring disorders treatment through medically supervised detoxification. We strive to be one of the best places to work in Kern County by fostering a workplace culture centered on our CARES values: Compassion, Acceptance, Respect, Empowerment, and Sincerity.

About the Role

The Patient Account Representative must possess knowledge of various payers, including commercial, managed care, government plans, and state programs such as Medi-Cal/Medicaid and CCS. This role involves verifying patient insurance coverage, updating and maintaining accurate benefit information in the insurance system, and serving as a resource for patients regarding their coverage. The position requires extensive phone and online communication with insurance companies to verify benefits and authorization requirements.

Responsibilities

• Verify sufficient information is available for accurate insurance verification and eligibility, contacting patients as needed.
• Call insurance companies to verify and complete all insurance information and benefits.
• Check if authorization is required and enter patient insurance information into the financial system accurately.
• Document findings in the patient account and contact patients with estimated co-insurance, co-pay, and deductible amounts due.
• Calculate co-pay and estimated co-insurance due from patients based on individual payer contracts and plans.
• Be familiar with individual payer guidelines and the process of collecting payments, deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance.
• Understand payer contracts, including Medicare, Medicaid, and other government guidelines.
• Work closely with Case Management (UR) regarding patient status changes, including insurance notifications and coverage updates.
• Provide financial counseling to patients at the hospital bedside and assist with payment arrangement plans for services not covered by insurance or for self-pay patients.
• Calculate and collect cash payments using Medicare DRG/APC reimbursement tables.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service and communication skills, effectively calming distressed or agitated patients and their families.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Current CPR certification (or obtain prior to start date).
• Preferably at least one year of experience in a hospital environment.
• Completion of "Handle-With-Care" Physical Restraint Technique Training during orientation.
• Ideally, at least 2 years of medical billing experience and certification in a similar field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Pay

The Patient Account Representative position starts at $23 per hour for all newly hired persons.

Benefits

Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital offers a suite of benefits, with eligibility varying based on employment status (full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.). Full-time employees can expect:

• Over three weeks of Paid Time Off in the first year.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Life Insurance.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Pet Insurance.
• Accident Insurance.
• 401k Retirement Plan.
• Discounted Meals.
• Employee Assistance Program.