Patient Accounts Manager (Not to exceed $75k)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:   This position exists in the Lewis County General Hospital and involves responsibility for supervising personnel involved in billing and credit collections for patient accounts.  The incumbent is responsible for management of the broad and efficient collection of monies due the facility through effective billing procedures and follow-up on delinquent accounts including Medicaid, Medicare, private pay and Veterans’ Administration.  The work is performed under broad policies established by the Chief Financial Officer with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out details of the work.  Supervision is exercised over the Patient Accounts Supervisor and a number of subordinate employees assigned to and engaged in patient account activities.  The incumbent does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

·  Supervises staff associated with the patient accounting and reimbursement cycle system from posting patient charges to payment in full on accounts;

·  Supervises proper account keeping methods and deposit of monies received through the mail or in person from facility patients;

·  Develops effective collection and follow-up procedures to minimize accounts receivable days;

· Monitors adherence to contracts by third party payers, educates appropriate staff as contract changes/updates occur;

·  Establishes standards for effective job performance and evaluates staff according to such standards;

· Provides regular reports/updates to Chief Financial Officer regarding trends in cash receipts and accounts receivable;

·  Establishes training policies and procedures to ensure that staff is knowledgeable of third party regulations and compliance issues;

·  Oversees operation of Meditech B/AR computer applications ensuring maximum effectiveness and utilization within patient accounting area and works with module coordinators and information systems to ensure maximum effectiveness of hospital-wide information system;

· Ensures that staff customer relations skills are emphasized in dealing with customers of the billing department including patients, staff from other hospital departments and third party payers;

· Recommends and/or utilizes latest claims processing technologies including electronic submission, remittance, and insurance verification;

· Ensures that good working relationships are maintained with Health Information Management, Utilization Management, Patient Registration, ancillary departments, and physicians and that these areas are kept informed of changing reimbursement issues;

· Ensures the development of efficient work flow patterns, suitable staffing levels, mechanisms for timely communication of pertinent information, and documentation of departmental policies and procedures;

·  Supervises the billing of patients for services rendered and follows up on collection of delinquent accounts;

·  Ensures adherence to facility information security and confidentiality policies;

·  Oversees patient accounts operations including insurance verification, family financial counseling and follow-up with patients’ families and/or third party payers; 

·  Trains workers involved with patient billing and credits and collections;

·  Monitors internal controls over accounts receivable to include cash collection, contractual calculations, and bad debt functions;

·  Establishes and monitors an annual expense budget;

·  Manages the arrangement of appropriate payment schedule in accordance with credit policy;

·  Recommends accounts to be sent for collection by private agencies;

·  Works with collection agency or attorney to provide current information necessary to effect legal collection of account;

· Works with management staff of third party payers including Blue Cross, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans’ Administration, etc., in solving fiscal problems and developing more efficient collection procedures;

·  Evaluates adequacy of collection procedures and recommends possible changes to management;

·  Prepares time and shift schedules of subordinate office staff and approves leaves, vacations, and overtime.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of modern business office management practices and procedures; thorough knowledge of modern methods used in maintaining and checking financial records and reports; thorough knowledge of business office terminology, procedures, and equipment; good knowledge of business English; ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of subordinate employees engaged in patient account activities; ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions; ability to make arithmetic computations rapidly and accurately; ability to present clear and concise oral and written reports; ability to deal effectively with the public; ability to readily acquire familiarity with hospital organization, business functions, laws, policies, and regulations concerning collection of patient accounts; sound judgment in solving complex business office and financial problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either:

(A)Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, business management, accounting, economics or related field and two years of experience in patient bill collection and related account keeping activities in a hospital setting involved with third party reimbursement, one year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity; or

(B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two year college with an associate’s degree in one of the areas in (A) above and four years of experience as outlined in (A) above, one year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity; or

(C)An equivalent combination of experience and training as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) above.

LCHS offers a highly competitive compensation benefits package including NYS Retirement. Qualified applicants may forward their resume to Human Resources, Lewis County Health System, 7785 N. State St., Lowville, NY 13367 or Email: hr@lcgh.net. LCHS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.