Collections Specialist-On Site
Reports To: Business Office Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time
Department: Finance
Nothing in this job description or acknowledgment shall be construed as a contract of employment or a guarantee of continued employment. JCHC reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities for this position at any time.
Position Summary
The Collections Specialist is responsible for managing patient accounts receivable and collection activities for Johnson County Healthcare Center (JCHC). This position facilitates the collection of patient balances, administration of financial assistance programs, nursing home billing, bankruptcy account management, Medicare bad debt reporting, and related accounts receivable functions. The Collections Specialist serves as a key patient financial services resource, promoting timely reimbursement while providing exceptional customer service and maintaining compliance with federal, state, and organizational requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Patient Financial Services and Account Resolution
· Serves as the primary contact for patients and guarantors regarding billing questions, account balances, insurance coverage, payment arrangements, and financial responsibility.
· Researches, resolves, and documents patient account issues by coordinating with internal departments, insurance carriers, and external stakeholders as appropriate.
· Maintains current patient demographic and insurance information to support accurate account processing.
Financial Assistance Administration
· Educates patients regarding financial assistance programs and assists with application completion, eligibility review, documentation collection, and communication of determinations.
· Processes approved financial assistance adjustments in accordance with organizational policies.
Accounts Receivable and Collections
· Manages collection activities for hospital, clinic, home health, hospice, and long-term care accounts to support timely reimbursement and reduce outstanding accounts receivable.
· Reviews aging reports, conducts account follow-up, establishes payment arrangements, issues collection correspondence, and coordinates account placement with collection agencies and early-out vendors.
· Reconciles collection activity, payments, balances, and account status between JCHC systems and external vendors.
Specialized Account Management
· Administers bankruptcy accounts, including review of filings, claim submission, account updates, and related documentation.
· Performs billing, payment follow-up, and account reconciliation for long-term care residents, including Medicaid, private-pay, long-term care insurance, and commercial insurance accounts.
· Establishes and monitors employee payroll deduction arrangements for patient balances.
Payment Processing and Financial Reporting
· Processes patient payments, refunds, transfers, deposits, Title 25 requests, contract billing, and other assigned reimbursement activities.
· Maintains Medicare Bad Debt records and assists with preparation of required reports and supporting documentation.
· Maintains accurate financial records and reconciliations to support organizational and regulatory requirements.
Statement and Account Management
· Oversees patient statement processing and account monitoring activities to ensure timely and accurate patient communication and follow-up.
· Identifies and resolves account issues, statement exceptions, and workflow discrepancies impacting revenue cycle performance.
General Responsibilities
· Maintains accurate documentation and protects confidential information in compliance with HIPAA, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
· Demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and exceptional customer service in all interactions.
· Supports departmental goals, revenue cycle improvement initiatives, and organizational financial performance.
· Performs other duties as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs.
Education and Experience
· High school diploma or equivalent - Required
· Two (2) years of experience in healthcare billing, collections, patient financial services, accounts receivable, or a related business office function - preferred
· Associate degree in Business, Accounting, Healthcare Administration, or a related field - Preferred
· Experience in a Critical Access Hospital, Rural Health Clinic, Long-Term Care Facility, or other healthcare setting - preferred
· Experience with Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance billing, and patient collections - preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Knowledge of healthcare revenue cycle operations, including patient billing, collections, accounts receivable management, financial assistance programs, and reimbursement processes.
· Understanding of Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, patient financial responsibility, and applicable healthcare regulations.
· Knowledge of HIPAA, confidentiality standards, and healthcare compliance requirements.
· Strong customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with patients, families, staff, and external organizations.
· Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
· Proficiency in electronic health record systems, healthcare billing and accounts receivable software, Microsoft Office applications, and standard office equipment.
· Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple responsibilities, and meet established deadlines.
· Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion.
· Ability to interpret and apply organizational policies, payer requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
· Ability to collaborate effectively with internal departments and external agencies to resolve account issues and support revenue cycle objectives.
Pay: $20.94 - $25.29 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
