Medical Billing Specialist I/II - Behavioral Health

County of Ventura; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational incentive

Bilingual incentive

Merit increases

Deferred compensation

Health plans

Flexible spending accounts

Pension plan

Holidays

Additional benefits

Job summary

County of Ventura is seeking a Medical Billing Specialist I/II to perform billing and claims processing for Medi-Cal, Medicare, and other insurers in a Behavioral Health setting. The role emphasizes timely submissions, accuracy, and compliance with payer requirements.

Responsibilities include reviewing bills, following up on denials, and coordinating with payers. Experience with CPT/ ICD-10/HCPCS and multiple EHR systems is preferred; a business-related degree is valued.

Qualifications

• Open, direct communication with peers, managers, patients and payers.
• Knowledge of medical billing processes and reimbursement guidelines.
• Experience with Medi-Cal/Medicare/Medicaid billing.
• Familiarity with CPT/ ICD-10/HCPCS coding and EHR systems.

Responsibilities

• Review and process medical bills and transmit timely to intermediaries.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance with billing, coding and follow-up requirements.
• Maintain billing work queue and monitor for timely submission.
• Follow up on denial codes and assist with reimbursements.
• Assist with compliance audits and documentation.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Medical billing knowledge

EHR systems experience

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in business

Tools

Cerner

HURON

Claim Source

Job description

The Department

As a vital department of Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA), Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) provides comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment services tailored to meet the needs of our community. From mobile crisis response to outpatient treatment, our array of programs ensures individuals receive the support they need at every stage of their journey.

The Position

Under general supervision at the (I) level, or direction at the (II) level, the incumbent is responsible for billing and processing claims appropriately for timeliness in reimbursement and billing compliance with Medi-Cal, Medicare, and general insurance reimbursement requirements.

What We Offer

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, or 5% for completion of a graduate degree.


• Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill. Proficiency levels by exam are $0.69/hour (Level I), $1.00/hour (Level II), or $1.32/hour (Level III).


• Merit Increases -New employees serving their initial County service probationary period are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately six months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.


• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. If you participate in the County sponsored 401(k) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a per pay period basis. Following five (5) years of continuous County service, an additional 2% non-elective contribution will be made to the 401(k) plan.


• Health Plans - You are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical plan under the County’s Flexible Benefits Program. County now pays 100% of dental, and vision premiums.


• Flexible Spending Accounts- Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.


• Pension Plan- Participate in the County's defined benefit pension plan that provides lifetime payments to retirees. Members are "vested" after attaining five years of retirement service credit. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.


• Holidays- 13 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.


• Additional Benefits -Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.


• To learn more about the benefits, please follow the link: https://vcportal.venturacounty.gov/CEO/HR/MOA/docs/SEIU_MOA_2025-2029.pdf

Distinguishing Characteristics

Positions are allocated to the various levels in this series on the basis of level, scope and complexity of professional billing duties assigned.

• Medical Billing Specialist I ($23.00 - $29.16 per hour) : is the entry level in this series. Incumbents work under supervision of higher level Medical Billing Specialists and within established guidelines.


• Medical Billing Specialist II ($26.36 - $33.44 per hour) : is the journey level class performing a variety of billing and processing claims for reimbursement by programs.

Agency/Department

Health Care Agency - Behavioral Health Department

Veteran’s Points

This is a trainee/entry level classification (Level I/II), and Veteran’s Points may apply to eligible candidates.

Medical Billing Specialist I/II are represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra-Help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy in Patient Financial Services.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Medical Billing Specialist I and II

• Reviews and analyzes bills as they come off the system and bills/ transmits them in a timely manner to the appropriate intermediary;


• Ensures accuracy and compliance with billing, coding, and follow-up requirements and identifies overpayments and lack of documentation issues;


• Maintains work queue with backlog to 46 hours of receipt only;


• Reviews and follows up on denial codes transmitted to providers for potential reimbursement on claims;


• Provides information to payors and ensures that reimbursement is received;


• Gathers, compiles, and analyzes billing and statistical analysis;


• Prepares bills and claims and transmits them on a timely basis; and


• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and ensure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

Education, Training, And Experience

Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities can typically be obtained by hands-on working knowledge and experience in a medical complex comparable to Ventura County Medical Center and affiliated clinics.

Medical Billing Specialist I - Minimum of six (6) months of medical billing experience required.

Medical Billing Specialist II - Two (2) years of professional medical billing experience including billing in Medi-Cal and/or chemotherapy OR one (1) year as a Medical Billing Specialist I for the County of Ventura.

Desired

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a business-related field.


• Experience in Managed Care/Medicaid/Medi-Cal/Medicare and/or Commercial Insurance billing.


• Experience with multiple electronic health record (EHR) systems, such as Cerner, HURON, and/or Claim Source to follow up on accounts.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Working (Level I) to thorough (Level II) knowledge of:

• Medical reimbursement programs and complexity of payment systems.


• Current Procedural Terminology Codes (CPT) codes, International Classification for Diseases (ICD)-10 codes, Health Care Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes for payment processing of Medicare and/or Medi‑Cal.


• Medi‑Cal Provider Manual for Billing and Policy and Program and Eligibility.


• Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) process.

Ability To

• Demonstrate open and direct communication with peers, managers, patients, and payers.


• Process bills accurately and receive prompt reimbursements.


• Research accounts for overcharges, appropriate billing information, and appropriate payment methodology.


• Evaluate and identify compliance and audit issues and work progressively with the compliance office to identify and resolve regulatory conflicts.

Written Exam – 100%

A job-related written examination will be administrated to test applicants’ knowledge of Office Practices/Language Skills, Math/Chart Skills, Customer Service Skills and Medical Billing . Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for one (1) year.

Background Investigation

A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Vivian Merida via email at [e-mail] or by telephone at [phone].

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.