Program Billing Specialist in Los Angeles, California at United American Indian I Inc

United American Indian Involvement (UAII) is the only Native American led non-profit organization in Los Angeles County, proudly serving as a home for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Through our healthcare facility and culturally centered programs, we provide essential physical, behavioral, and spiritual health services—helping individuals stay connected to their Tribal heritage and traditions.

For over 50 years, UAII has grown to become the largest nonprofit provider of health and human services for American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles, home to the nation’s largest Urban Indian population. Our dedicated team delivers compassionate care that supports daily healing, resilience, and the continued strength of our communities. UAII is committed to uphold Indigenous values in all aspects of our work. It guides our actions, relationships, and responsibilities, ensuring that we serve our communities with integrity, respect, and accountability.

Core Values

• Respect for Relatives – I will honor the dignity of all people, recognizing that every individual is a relative deserving of respect, compassion, and care.
• Community Responsibility – My work is not only for individual benefit but for the collective well-being of our communities, present and future.
• Cultural Integrity - I will safeguard and uplift Indigenous languages, traditions, and cultural practices, ensuring they remain central to our organizational life.
• Reciprocity - We give back in balance with what we receive, fostering mutual trust and accountability in all relationships.
• Stewardship – I will act as a caretaker of our communities, resources, and environment, mindful of the impact of our decisions on future generations.
• Truth and Transparency – I will communicate honestly and openly, ensuring clarity in our commitments and accountability in our actions

Position Summary

Working under the supervision of the Controller, the Program Billing Specialist is responsible for accurate and timely billing, claims submission, payment posting, collections follow-up, and revenue cycle activities for UAII's healthcare and community programs. This position works collaboratively with providers, clinical staff, finance personnel, and third-party payers to ensure billing accuracy, timely reimbursement, and compliance with applicable Federal, State, County, and payer-specific requirements. The Program Billing Specialist is responsible for processing claims, resolving denials, researching billing discrepancies, maintaining accurate billing records, and supporting the financial sustainability of UAII's healthcare and community services while ensuring exceptional customer service and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and submit medical, behavioral health, and related healthcare claims to insurance carriers, managed care plans, and government payers.
• Verify insurance eligibility, benefits, authorizations, and coverage requirements.
• Review documentation for billing accuracy and ensure appropriate claim submission.
• Monitor claim status and follow up on unpaid, denied, or rejected claims.
• Research and resolve billing discrepancies, denials, underpayments, and appeals.
• Post payments, adjustments, and patient transactions accurately and timely.
• Maintain accounts receivable and work assigned aging reports.
• Coordinate with providers and support staff to ensure complete and accurate documentation.
• Assist with patient billing inquiries and payment arrangements as appropriate.
• Maintain billing records in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare reports related to billing activities, collections, reimbursements, and revenue cycle performance.
• Comply with HIPAA, HITECH, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and payer-specific requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, training activities, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends as needed for company events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

• Current Certified Professional Biller (CPB) certification required.
• Minimum two (2) years of medical billing experience in a healthcare, clinic, hospital, FQHC, Tribal health program, Urban Indian Organization, or nonprofit healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 coding standards.
• Experience billing Medi-Cal, Medicare, managed care plans, and commercial insurance carriers.
• Experience with claims processing, payment posting, accounts receivable follow-up, denial management, and appeals.
• Proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR), practice management software, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, HITECH, and other applicable privacy regulations.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Associate Degree in Health Information Management, Medical Billing and Coding, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or equivalent coding certification.
• Three (3) or more years of medical billing experience.
• Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Tribal Health Program, Indian Health Service (IHS), or Urban Indian Organization.
• Knowledge of HRSA, Medi-Cal Managed Care, and IHS reimbursement methodologies.
• Experience utilizing eClinicalWorks, NextGen, Athena, or comparable EHR systems.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies

• Knowledge of medical billing, reimbursement methodologies, and revenue cycle management.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, HITECH, and healthcare compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 coding principles.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of patient, employee, and organizational information.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, patients, vendors, and payers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.

Conditions of Hire

· Eligibility to work in the U.S.

· Fingerprint clearance and post-offer drug test.

· Proof of hepatitis B vaccination and negative TB screening.

· UAII strongly encourages COVID-19 and Influenza vaccinations; in the absence of the recommended vaccinations, employees are advised to wear a mask while in clinic areas.

Benefits

· Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

· Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plans

· Company-paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

· Company-paid Basic Life Insurance and AD&D

· HSA, FSA

· 403(b) Retirement Plan with 4% Employer Match

· Employee Assistance Program

· Bereavement and Jury Duty Paid Leave

· Employee Wellness Program

· Paid Vacation - 12 days (first 2 years)

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. 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. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected status under federal, state, or local law. UAII is a drug-free workplace and complies with ADA regulations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

UAII is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.