Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

This position is responsible for billing and follow-up of accounts for payment and/or referral to the collection department. Organizes claims for electronic or hard copy mail and forwards to appropriate third party payers. Reviews claims to make sure that payer specific billing requirements are met, follows-up on billing, determines and applies appropriate adjustments, answers inquiries, and updates accounts as necessary.

Qualifications

This position requires two years of business office experience, with at least one of the years preferable in a health care setting or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). 35 WPM typing, demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills are also required.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Completes billing on assigned carrier accounts.
2. Resolves coding and charge errors with hospital departments.
3. Prepares a weekly billing report of all accounts billed and unbilled.
4. Responds to third party inquiries regarding billing errors, coding and medical documentation.
5. Pursues assigned billed accounts with third party payers.
6. Prepares a report for the supervisor of accounts which have been discharged for more than 50 days.
7. Conducts audits of account folders and corrects the errors.
8. Posts payments that are received to proper patient account folders.
9. Answers patient or third party inquiries of account status.
10. Prepares refunds as needed.

Problem Solving

This position customarily operates under general supervision. The incumbent is not given authority to make a precedent setting decisions and usually refers all new or unusual situations to his or her supervisor. However, the incumbent may be called upon to use discretion and judgement in selecting a proper course of action in performing daily activities.

Major challenges inherent within this position include maintaing good public relations, assuring appropriate and accurate account billing, collection of all outstanding accounts, resolving charge and coding problems, over paymens and determining write-off adjustments according to hospital coutract with third party payers.

Comments

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking. 

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.