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JOB TITLE: Third Party and Follow Up Representative
DEPARTMENT: Patient Financial Service
LOCATION: John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital
SHIFT: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Third-Party Billing and Follow Up Representative facilitates the billing and collection processes of outstanding accounts receivable. Analyzes claims to determine compliant and accurate coding, charging; reviews file to confirm demographic and billing information is updated. Makes recommendations to improve billing and collection practices in an effort to decrease the reimbursement timeframe and accuracy of payment. Processes legal requests for information; ensures proper authorization is on file to support the request.
Typical Duties
- Facilitates the billing and collection processes of outstanding accounts receivable.
- Communicates with internal and external contacts to explain primary, secondary and tertiary billing, collection and resolution of claims including Medicare and other government and non-government accounts.
- Monitors daily queues for customer services/quality and productivity to maintain acceptable level as established by the departments, alerts management of high call volume patterns.
- Handles incoming and outgoing billing correspondence and phone inquiries relating to patient, third party administrators, attorneys, vendors and other insurance payers.
- Documents conversations and/or actions taken to support all claims inquiries, review and/or reconsiderations; streamlines the follow-up process of team members assisting on the file.
- Analyzes claims to determine compliant and accurate coding, charging; reviews file to confirm demographic and billing information is updated.
- Works to resolve any claim or billing concerns and takes appropriate action to escalate issues to management when appropriate.
- Develops relationships with patients, third party administrators, attorneys, vendors and other insurance payers.
- Performs follow-up processes on accounts to work towards a zero balance.
- Files a timely reconsideration or review of claim with supporting documentation such as a corrected claim, medical records and letter of explanation as necessary; communicates with departments to gather information needed to resolve the claim.
- Makes use of the software and hospital systems in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.
- Performs account system updates such as changes to financial class, eligibility status, payor contact information or rebills.
- Communicates with team members of any changes or updates that may impact workflow outcomes such as billing address or contact information.
- Performs balance transfers.
- Develops weekly productivity reports for management; makes recommendations to improve billing and collection practices in an effort to decrease the reimbursement timeframe and accuracy of payment.
- Processes legal requests for information; ensures proper authorization is on file to support the request.
- Maintains compliance with all billing and collections practices and regulations set forth by local and federal government and any other governing agencies to include but not limited to Center for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), American Health Information Management Association (AHIMMA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), etc.
- Completes annual education requirements.
- Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
Reporting Relationships
Reports to the System Supervisor of Third-Party Billing and Collections.
- High School Diploma or GED (must provide proof at time of interview)
- One (1) year of experience in hospital third party billing and account follow-up.
- Current experience with a hospital revenue cycle system.
Preferred Qualifications
- One (1) year of experience in hospital third party billing and account follow-up within a multi-hospital system.
- Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Polish.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
- Knowledge and familiarity with billing hierarchy levels and order of facilitation.
- Knowledge of compliance and regulations for billing and collection practices set forth by local and federal government and any other governing agencies.
- Knowledge of billing and collection processes in a hospital environment.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Knowledge of a hospital revenue cycle system.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups.
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Demonstrate good phone and email etiquette skills with strong response times both on the phone and electronically.
- Demonstrate good computer and typing skills to support thorough documentation of phone call.
- Demonstrate analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills.
- Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision.
- Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize projects and tasks.
- Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast paced and stressful environment.
- Ability to adhere to department policies and standards utilizing best practices.
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged.
- Ability to function autonomously and as a team member in a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to perform accurate and reliable mathematical calculations.
- Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction).
Physical and Environmental Demands
This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.
For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, "Typical Duties" are essential job functions.
VETERAN PREFERENCE
PLEASE READ
When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospital System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.
To take advantage of the preference a Veteran must:
- Meet minimum qualifications for the position.
- Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering "Yes" to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
- Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD 214's, DD 215's, or NGB 22's, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable.
OR
A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.
If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference.
VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW
MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.
BENEFITS PACKAGE
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Basic Term Life Insurance
- Pension Plan
- Deferred Compensation Program
- Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
- You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:
*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.
*Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.
COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER