Patient Accounts Specialist

Bayhealth; Dover (DE); On-site; USD 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Matching 401(k) Plans

Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision

Disability and Life Insurance options

On Site Child Care

Educational Reimbursement

Health Care and Dependent Care FSA

Voluntary Benefits including Critical/

Job summary

Bayhealth Medical Center in Kent County invites a detail-focused Specialist to manage insurance authorizations, coding accuracy, and timely charge posting to ensure compliant billing. The role also handles co-pays at the point of service and supports front office functions, with potential supervision of Registrars.

The position requires at least 2 years in medical office billing and CPT/ICD coding experience, with preferred additional ICD-10 expertise and health information systems familiarity.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience: 2+ years in medical office/insurance clerical work with CPT/ICD coding.
• Preferred: 3+ years in medical billing and health information systems.

Responsibilities

• Verify physician authorization and accurate diagnosis codes prior to service.
• Post charges daily in the hospital information system.
• Review denials and process appeals promptly.
• Collect co-pays at time of service.
• Oversee Registrar staff and provide training as needed.
• Support front-office registrations and patient scheduling.

Skills

Insurance authorization

Medical coding

Charge capture

Denial management

Co-pays & collections

Registration oversight

Front office support

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

EMR system (Horizon)

Star billing module

Job description

If you care about the opportunity to grow, to make a difference, to build a future and a life, then we just might have the career for you. Care to talk?

Bayhealth Medical Center is Central and Southern Delaware’s healthcare leader with hospitals in Dover and Milford, as well as stand‑alone Emergency Department in Smyrna and a hybrid Emergency Department and Urgent Care in Milton. We offer various practice settings throughout Kent and Sussex Counties. Bayhealth Medical Center Kent Campus is 90 minutes from Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Baltimore. Our Sussex Campus is 30 minutes to the Delaware beaches and relaxation in the sand!

Bayhealth Medical Center offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package (for eligible positions) including:

• Generous Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Matching 401(k)/403(b) Plans
• Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision
• Disability and Life Insurance options
• On Site Child Care
• Educational Reimbursement
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flex Spending Accounts
• Plus, an array of Voluntary Benefits to include Critical Care Coverage and more!

Location: Kent Campus Hospital

Status: Full Time 80 Hours

Shift: Day/ Evening

SALARY RANGE: 18.27 - 27.40 HOURLY

General Summary:

This is a multi‑faced role within the outpatient and service line areas. The Specialist is responsible for insurance authorisations, accurate recording of diagnosis codes, timely charge posting to support accurate billing, and collection of co‑pays at time of service. Resolve compliance and billing issues with clinical staff. May also perform scheduling and/or place orders for patient testing. Provide cross support for front office functions, including registrations necessary for the efficient day‑to‑day operation of the facility. The Specialist serves as liaison between customers and the department. May provide oversight and training for Registrars.

Responsibilities:

• Insurance Authorization for Services/Treatment a) Verify referring Physician authorization of services and ensures all diagnosis codes are accurate and appropriate prior to service delivery; working closely and collaboratively with physician offices. b) Verify pre‑authorization or obtains authorization from insurance carrier. Works pro‑actively to ensure insurance authorization is obtained prior to rendering services or treatment; or recommends postponement of services if requirements are not met. c) Review insurance coverage information with patient, and obtain Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) from patient if services are not covered. d) Work with clinical staff to assure appropriate charge capture and authorisations are received when services/treatment are altered. Coding
• Coding a) Ensure all diagnosis codes and charges are accurate according to official CPT and ICD‑9/ICD‑10 CMS guidelines, meeting all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations. b) Work actively with providers and clinical staff in problem resolution for issues related to diagnosis coding and compliance.
• Charge Capture/Billing a) Accurately post all technical and professional charges on a daily basis in appropriate hospital information system prior to export (i.e., EMR system, Horizon, etc.) b) Verify charge entries within 24 hours of posting, using defined audit processes and available reports. Follow up all fall‑out reports (i.e., Failed Bill Report from Star). Collaborate with appropriate clinical staff and manager to resolve. Perform additional charge audits as requested. c) Collaborate with supervisor/manager and Finance Department to resolve account issues as requested within billing cycle and in appropriate hospital information system (i.e., Denial and Appeals Module in Star).
• Denial Management a) Review and appropriately follow up on accounts in denial or appeal status; (i.e., Denials and Appeals module in Star; or alternative software. b) Research denied claims, incorrect payments. Processes appeals in a timely manner. c) Ensure all write‑offs, denials and appeals are tracked appropriately.
• Co‑pays and Collections a) Review insurance coverage for all patients, then determine and notify patient of payment responsibility for co‑pays. b) Accurately collect co‑pays as required by Bayhealth and the patient’s insurance at the time of service (point‑of‑service collections). c) Collaborate with supervisor/manager and Finance Department in the Payment Recovery Program. d) Responsible for balancing cash and accounts; process patient credit refunds
• Registration Oversight a) Provide oversight and assistance to Registrars, providing training and mentoring as needed. b) Assist Registrars in more complicated and complex functions c) Assist in onboarding of new Registrars; under guidance of supervisor/manager
• Provide cross‑support for front office positions a) Patient flow – maintain efficient patient flow in the registration and check‑in process. Accurately complete reception duties in accordance with policies. b) Registration – accurately complete patient registration process c) Insurance Verification – obtain copies of insurance card when registering patient d) Scheduling – accurately schedules new patients and follow up appointments, following procedures and protocols. Assist patients with referral needs in obtaining additional appointments with specialists, and insurance approval authorisation for additional visits.
• All other duties as assigned within the scope and range of job responsibilities

Required Education, Credential(s) and Experience:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED ;
• Credential(s): None Required
• Experience: Required: 2 years of medical office/ insurance clerical experience prior experience with CPT and ICD‑9/ICD‑10 coding. Specialized training in accounting principles, medical coding, medical terminology Preferred: 3 years of medical office/ insurance experience, with administrative billing functions, health information systems

Preferred Education, Credential(s) and Experience:

• Education:
• Credential(s): Certified Professional Coder Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Practice Certified Billing and Coding Specialist
• Experience: