Patient Care Coordinator

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of the Pacific is seeking a Patient Care Coordinator to support patient and financial management within the University clinic.

Under Clinic Manager supervision, you will discuss costs, verify benefits, process payments, and ensure accurate dental billing and compliance across student and resident services. Strong communication and attention to detail are essential in this university setting.

Qualifications

• Dental terminology and treatments used in dental office management.
• Dental insurance procedures and billing processes.
• Accounts receivable management in a dental education setting.
• Principles of dental office management or general office methods and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Discuss financial cost with patients regarding their dental treatment and obtain management approval for large treatment plans.
• Verify eligibility and plan benefits for private and public insurance; submit pre-determinations to insurance company.
• Explain out-of-pocket costs to patients based on benefits; interview and set up payment plans as needed.
• Provide account summaries and complete forms requested by patients (verification of dental expenses, etc.).
• Collect, process, and balance payments; communicate with third-party payees and process refunds.
• Audit and maintain patient financial accounts; assist students with billing issues and chart locks.
• Run monthly reports for accounts on payment plans and monitor delinquent accounts; contact patients for past-due payments.
• Coordinate with insurance and grant programs; respond to inquiries about claims and status.
• Assist with clinic financial policies and orientation activities.

Skills

Dental terminology

Dental treatments

Dental insurance procedures

Accounts receivable management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

AA or Bachelor degree

Job description

Patient Care Coordinator

Primary Purpose:

Under the immediate supervision of the Clinic Manager, performsvarious patient and financial management functions.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, andinclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students andemployees. We prioritize policy and decision-making thatdemonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the wayssocio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality,socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, andstaff.

Essential Functions:

1. Discuss financial cost with patients regarding their dentaltreatment and provide financial clearance; obtain managementapproval for large treatment plans; complete electronic fundtransfer forms as needed.
2. Verify eligibility and plan benefits for private and publicinsurance; prepare, submit, trace and process pre-determinations toinsurance company; input and scan all benefit information ontopatient file.
3. Estimate and explain out of pocket cost to patients based oninsurance benefits and limitations; interview patients inquiringabout financial payment plans; execute financial payment plan forqualified applicants and explain contract agreement.
4. Provide account summary and complete forms as requested bypatient (i.e. verification of dental expenses for housing purposes,HRAs).
5. Collect, process, and balance payments; correspond with thirdparty payees/organizations regarding payment; validate credits andprogress refund request for approval.
6. Ensure that all necessary forms, documentation and x-rays meetDenti-cal guidelines prior to approving treatment; provide andassist students and residents with compliant CDT coding.
7. Audit and maintain patient financial accounts for accuracy;provide information to students, residents and patients regardingbilling problems or resolutions; assist students with financialchart locks and billing issue forms.
8. Run monthly reports for accounts on payment plans and modify asneeded.; contact patients to collect past due payments and processreturn statements; review delinquent account report to determinecollection proceeding.
9. Research, contact and provide information as requested byinsurance companies; notify insurance department regardinginsurance billing and claim status.
10. Support processing needs of special grant programs and specialdiscounts offered annually during Mock Boards.
11. Respond to all patient inquiry/dispute regarding their accountin a timely manner; refer patient issues and concerns related totreatment to appropriate Group Practice Leader or Patient RelationsLiaison as needed.
12. Grade students quarterly based on professionalism, patientmanagement skills and knowledge of financial protocol; participatein 1st/2nd year student orientation; providing guidance regardingclinic financial policies and approvals; participate in year-endclearing progress.
13. Provide back up for CARE Coordinator as needed for treatmentapproval.
14. Order, stock and dispense CAMBRA products.
15. Maintain student/patient sign up list in a timely manner.
16. Perform all other duties as assigned by the Manager, ClinicFinancial Operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

• Dental terminology and treatments.
• Dental insurance procedures.
• Accounts receivable management.
• Principles of dental office management or general officemethods and procedures.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, andpatients.
• Explain to patients their financial obligations to the Schoolof Dentistry for dental procedures in appropriate terms.
• Utilize patient management system to run financialreports.
• Pay close attention to detail.
• Communicate with insurance companies to ascertain patientcoverage.
• Clarify patient accounts when patients have billingconcerns.
• Evaluate and resolve patient care management problemssatisfactorily.
• Maintain professional composure and demeanor.
• Coordinate a variety of responsibilities in stressfulsituations.

Experience:

• Minimum of three years of dental insurance billing experiencein a group practice or dental school setting.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

• AA or Bachelor degree.

Distinguish Characteristic:

• Bilingual skills helpful.

Other:

• Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diversebackgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity,and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practicesand knowledge in their work.

Physical Requirements:

• Work performed is primarily general office/administrative withfrequent use of computer keyboard and phone; requires sittingmajority of the working day; occasional standing, bending andwalking.
• Occasional lifting of up to 15lbs should be anticipated.

Hiring Range:

$35.29 per hour

Background Check Statement:

All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment arerequired to execute a release and authorization for a backgroundscreening.

AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoingproceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, orappeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the pastseven years.