Lifescan Labs of Illinois Hiring For Patient Account Lead at Skokie, IL, United States Full Time

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Patient Account Lead is responsible for patient accounts receivable management and performs follow-up on open patient balances for Lifescan Labs. The Lead generates statements, patient accounts receivable reports, and responds to all patient balance inquiries. The Lead interacts directly with patients, patient representatives, attorneys, nursing homes, and clients to collect patient amounts due. The Lead acts as liaison with any first party and collection agency to ensure appropriate handling of transferred patient balances.

The Lead is a key contributor to the Revenue Cycle by identifying and reporting inefficiencies and opportunities that enhance revenue flow, increase collections, and minimize write-offs.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manages and reduces the private pay accounts receivable by prioritizing high dollar accounts, generating patient statements, and following up on unpaid patient balances.
• Responds to patient balance and insurance payer explanation of benefits questions via inbound calls, letters, or emails. Provides thorough explanations for patient balances and payer remittance.
• Interacts with attorneys or the patient’s estate representative to collect payments on open balances. Negotiates payment settlement as appropriate. Updates patient demographic records within the revenue cycle system.
• Identifies the guarantor, if other than patient, obtains copies of financial power of attorney (POA), and works with the guarantor to collect open patient balances. Updates guarantor information within the revenue cycle system and scans POA to patient account. Utilizes patient statement reports to monitor patient dunning cycles ensuring patients receive consistent and timely monthly statements. Generates and mails statements to patients.
• Speaks with Nursing Home Administrators to obtain additional demographics, guarantor information, or missing account information and updates the patient account.
• Collaborates with the cash application team to confirm patient payments are posted timely and sends updated statements or payment receipts to patient.
• Follows up on open patient balances post claims submission to collect outstanding amounts due. Responds to patient inquiries regarding clarification of balances and explanation of benefits.
• Works with patients to establish payment plans as appropriate. Effectively communicates payment plan terms with patients.
• Works to minimize write-offs by exhausting all resolution options and performing thorough research/review of all appropriate resources. Adjusts account or obtains approval write-off adhering to Lifescan policies and procedures.
• Acts as liaison with any third party self-pay collection agency. Provides additional information, updates patient account notes, and closes accounts with agency per protocols.
• Continually meets or exceeds self-pay collection metrics.
• Participates in standard operating procedure and training documentation creation and maintenance as needed.
• Remains current with trends, regulatory requirements, and business strategies related to the payer relations and revenue cycle. Operates in compliance with all local, state and Federal laws as well as policy and compliance standards.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, healthcare, or related field preferred.
• 4+ years-experience with patient account resolution, self-pay collections, and self-pay after insurance follow-up.
• 4+ years related experience in a business office on a revenue cycle team making outbound calls.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A.


Key Job Competencies:

• Microsoft Office skills: Proficiency with Excel, Power Point, Word, and Visio.
• Exceptional detail orientation, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in government, commercial and/or insurance payer claims follow-up, denial resolution, and appeals processes.
• Ability to interpret and apply insurance explanation of benefits.
• Ability to collaborate and work cohesively as part of a team.
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing internally and externally.
• Customer service client first aptitude.

Work Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. CT

Location: Skokie, IL