Collections Specialist

Johns Hopkins University - SOM Pediatric Billing is seeking a Collection Specialist who will be responsible for the collection of unpaid third-party claims and appeals, using various applications of JHM and JHU/ PBS billing applications. This role works with the payers to resolve issues and facilitate prompt payment of claims. Follow-up with insurance companies to collect outstanding accounts for which payment has not been received in response to the claims submission process, either electronically or by paper. The Specialist will be assigned payor groups of outstanding patient accounts. Various methods of follow-up will be used including all JHU/ PBS Billing Applications. The Specialist must have expertise in insurance follow-up processing and be knowledgeable in CPT and diagnosis coding as well understand the JHOC registration process and be able to recognize and resolve incorrect demographic and insurance registration. The Specialist must have an understanding of claims submission requirements for all payors to expedite payments as well as knowledge of appeals and rejections processing. This position requires excellent communication skills coupled with patience and fortitude.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Procedural Knowledge

• Uses A/R follow-up systems and reports to identify unpaid claims for collection/appeal.
• Gathers and verifies all information required to produce a clean claim including special billing procedures that may be defined by a payer or contract.
  
• Review and update patient registration information (demographic and insurance) as needed.
  
• Applies appropriate discounts / courtesies based on department policy.
  
• Prepares delinquent accounts for transfer to self-pay collection unit according to the follow-up matrix.
  
• Prints and mails claim forms and statements according to the follow-up matrix.
  
• Retrieves supporting documents (medical reports, authorizations, etc) as needed and submits to third-party payers.
  
• Appeals reflected claims and claims with low reimbursement.
  
• Confirm credit balances and gathers necessary documentation for processing refund.
  
• Identifies insurance issues of primary vs. secondary insurance, coordination of benefits eligibility and any other issue causing non-payment of claims.
  
• Contacts the payors or patient as appropriate for corrective action to resolve the issue and receive payment of claims.
  
• Monitor invoice activity until problem is resolved.
  
• Process daily mail, edits reports, file or pull EOB batches.
  
• Identifies and informs the supervisor / Production Unit Manager of issues or problems associated with non-payment of claims.
  

Technical Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge and compliance of HIPAA rules and regulations in the dissemination of patient Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Working knowledge of JHU/ PBS Billing Applications.
  
• Utilize online resources to facilitate efficient claims processing.
  
• Professional & Personal Development.
  
• Participate in on-going educational activities.
  
• Assist in the training of staff if requested.
  
• Keep current of industry changes by reading assigned material on work related topics.
  
• Complete three days of training annually.
  

Service Excellence
Must adhere to Service Excellence Standards.

• Customer Relations.
• Self-Management.
• Teamwork.
• Communications.
• Ownership/Accountability.
• Continuous Performance Improvement.

Physical Requirements

• This is a hybrid working position and the selected individual is expected to work onsite 1-2 days per week.
• Able to sit in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.
• Able to reach by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
• Finger dexterity required, able to manipulate objects with fingers rather than entire hand(s) or arm(s), e.g., use of computer keyboard.
• Able to communicate using the spoken and written word.
• Able to see within normal parameters and to hear within normal range.
• Able to move about.
• Able to lift minimum weight, 10 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
• One year experience in a medical billing or similar specialty environment required.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, CPT/ICD codes and diagnosis coding required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of various payer processing and submission guidelines.

Classified Title: Collection Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ATO 37.5/02/OC
Starting Hourly Pay Rate Range: $15.00 - $19.90/hr (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Hybrid/JH at Middle River
Department name: SOM Ped Production Unit Billing
Personnel area: School of Medicine

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:

30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Important legal information
http://hrnt.jhu.edu/legal.cfm