Patient Accounts Representative in Kimball, Nebraska at Kimball County Hospital

SUMMARY

The Patient Accounts Representative plays a vital role in the financial health of Kimball Health Services by ensuring accurate billing, payment processing, account reconciliation, and follow-up of patient accounts. This position works closely with patients, insurance companies, providers, and other hospital departments to resolve billing issues, collect outstanding balances, maintain compliance with applicable regulations, and provide exceptional customer service.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, professional, and committed to maintaining confidentiality while helping patients navigate their financial responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Prepares daily cash deposits and fills out cash control sheet daily.
• Obtains and mails detail copies of detail charges (itemized bills) for patients and third party payors, as requested.
• Reviews all remittance advice determining significant problems causing rejections and denials and reports the finding to the Director of Patient Accounts.
• Processes daily credit card deposits. Files check stubs and bank receipts.
• Researches and processes customer claims of invoice payment.
• Researches and processes charge backs, returns, and bad checks.
• Answers patient accounts phone inquiries from patients, collection agencies and attorneys, providing documentation as requested.
• Calls and/or mails correspondence to customers as necessary in order to update accounts.
• Assists with related special projects, as required.
• Prepares weekly and monthly reports as requested for bank and accounts receivable reconciliation and general ledger preparation.
• Monitors and prepares all write-off listings, refund requests, and miscellaneous adjustments.
• Prepares and submits Medicare quarterly credit balance reports in a timely fashion.
• Telephones debtors and obtains payment or financing arrangements. Monitors payment plans on a monthly basis.
• Maintains and supervises all open patient accounts.
• Makes recommendations to Department Head regarding the latest tools, methods and regulation updates which require changes in processes.
• Recommends collection and departmental policies and procedures, and goals and objectives.
• Assists with audits.
• Works with other departments as needs dictate.
• Performs receptionist/admissions/mail duties as required. Assists with office machines re: stocking, proper working order etc.
• Follows up with insurance companies for accounts that have been filed.
• Assist in the preparation of accounts for collections.
• Interact positively with patients and public
• Maintain Constructive Relationships with all internal and external customers
• Shows sincere commitment and adherence to all Corporate Compliance issues.
• Attends and participates in approved/requested committees and meetings.
• Maintains current knowledge and skills through inservices, workshops, and/or seminars
• Demonstrates flexibility in adjusting to variable workload and job duties.
• Maintain confidentiality of all patients, clients and facility information at all times.
• Any other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent computer skills, 10 key by touch, filing and typing proficiency. Strong business communication skills with ability to promote professional image.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be able to read and write English. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of supervisors, patients, patient's family and other employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Light physical effort: ability to lift or carry up to 10 pounds regularly

Mostly sedentary work

Occasional standing and walking

Ability to communicate verbally

Close vision and distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

HIPPA

This position requires access to Protected Health Information (PHI) necessary to perform assigned job duties and is expected to comply with all HIPAA Privacy and Security regulations as well as Kimball Health Services policies regarding confidentiality.