Billing and Patient Services Representative

Patient Billing Specialist

This position is responsible for addressing and resolving complex patient inquiries, concerns, and billing-related issues across various areas including eligibility, claims, denials, appeals, patient balances, collections and financial assistance. Responsible for receiving, responding to, and directing member phone calls and emails. Works under supervision of Billing and AR manager. Requires some knowledge of billing and healthcare field. Work requires meeting the needs of the patients by offering multiple options and solutions.

Pay and Benefits:

Pay: $19.54 - $23.77 per hour based on relevant experience, skills, and abilities.

Benefits Highlights:

• Generous PTO: Up to 17 days/year for new employees + 9 holidays + rollover
• 401(k): 3% automatic employer contribution + 3% match
• Annual pay increases
• Full benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, mental wellness
• For more detailed benefits synopsis visit tranow.com/about/careers

Location: This role sits out of our TRA Administrative office in Downtown Tacoma, WA. Free, secured parking is included with this role and location.

Schedule: 1.0 FTE - 40 hours - Monday - Friday - 8:30AM - 5PM

About TRA Medical Imaging

TRA Medical Imaging is a premier, physician-owned and physician-led radiology practice with a 100+ year history of serving the communities of the South Puget Sound region. Centered in Tacoma, WA, TRA has a geographic presence extending from Seattle to Olympia. TRA takes pride in diversity and inclusion, a philosophy that aligns well with our Pacific Northwest values.

We are led by a progressive group of approximately 100 sub-specialized radiologists who take pride in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while fostering a practice culture intended to feel more like a family than a corporation.

Why Choose TRA Medical Imaging

TRA is an independent, stable, and diversified practice with a broad clinical and geographic footprint. Our governance structure is transparent, democratic and equitable with an unwavering commitment to physician leadership and autonomy. As part of that promise, TRA welcomes employee participation and collaboration and is committed to providing personalized professional development opportunities.

Our commitment to culture is evidenced by our certification as a great workplace by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work and embodied by our mission statement: Trust our family to care for yours. TRA has been the respected provider of excellence in medical imaging in the South Sound since 1918. Join our team as we write the next 100 years of the TRA story.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Address complex patient inquiries, questions and concerns in all areas including eligibility, claims, denials, appeals, refunds, authorizations, collections, price quotes, financial assistance and grant matching.
2. Log and track appeals, re-openings and reconsiderations by contacting payers to gather information and communication on the disposition of claims.
3. Resolve billing operational issues; such as missing authorizations, retro-authorizations, front desk error or missing/incomplete information in hospital files.
4. Conduct pertinent research to evaluate and respond to denials in accordance with established regulatory guidelines.
5. Review pending collection accounts and work daily updated as needed from third party collections office.
6. Process updates/changes/corrections in billing system to support an accurate, timely and complete billing process.
7. Receive, respond to, and direct patient phone calls/emails professionally and promptly.
8. Assist patients in setting up alternative payment options when necessary.
9. Work collaboratively with teammates and other departments.
10. Check email throughout the day to provide timely feedback to patient and outpatient office needs.
11. Utilize knowledge of insurance billing, claims processing, ICD-10, CPT and HCPCS coding to effectively carry out your responsibilities.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.
13. Provide available information upon request and escalate issues/complaints as necessary to the Billing and AR Manager.
14. Check work e-mail daily.
15. Maintain confidentiality of all center and patient information at all times, as required by facility policy and HIPAA guidelines.
16. Follow the center exposure controls plan for blood borne and airborne pathogens.
17. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Work Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Associates degree or equivalent, minimum 1-year recent work experience in related area preferred

Job Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of insurance industry trends, directions, major issues, regulatory considerations and trendsetters.
• Knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws and regulations affecting insurance practices.
• Knowledge of activities, practices, and tools for claims adjustment practices.
• Knowledge of how to locate policy information and how to interpret policy language as it applies to specific claims.
• Knowledge of specific principles and practices of negotiation and settlement of claims.
• Knowledge of medical records systems applications.
• Ability to work effectively in teamwork environment and have respectful behavior while working as a team with co-workers.
• Must possess excellent verbal communication skills; good organization skills.
• Ability to demonstrate effective customer service skills.
• Communicate professionally with other medical facilities, patients, and customers.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and carry out instructions effectively.

Physical Requirements

Work is classified as sedentary in physical requirements. Requires the ability to lift/carry 1-5 pounds frequently, occasionally 10 pounds maximum.

Mental Requirements

Work requires high attention to detail and the ability to handle mentally stressful situations. The ability to maintain high level of sensitivity towards confidential information is also required.

Working/Environmental Conditions

Work environment consists of normal office or administrative working conditions.