Patient Financial Clearance Specialist (104774)

U.S. Dermatology Partners; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Dermatology Partners is seeking a Patient Financial Clearance Specialist in Bethesda area to verify insurance eligibility and benefits, ensuring timely processing and confidentiality. The role supports in-network and out-of-network workflows and relies on NextGen, Availity, and Rivet to obtain accurate information.

The position emphasizes coordination of benefits, pre-authorization, and clear communication of patient financial responsibility before service.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of work experience in medical insurance verification and/or patient financial clearance.

Responsibilities

• Verify information for accurate verification and eligibility.
• Determine secondary/tertiary insurance as needed for Primary coverage.
• Coordinate benefits (COB) in the system and ensure correct payer.
• Obtain authorizations and referrals from insurance companies/physician offices.

Skills

Communication in English

Analytical thinking

Detail oriented

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Tools

NextGen

Availity

Rivet

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Bethesda-Derm Lab - Silver Spring, MD 20903, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $18.00 - $23.00 Hourly

Job Summary (Summary of the basic functions of the position)

The Patient Financial Clearance Specialist is responsible for the insurance verification of eligibility and benefits. Follows US Dermatology Partners policies and procedures for insurance verification timeliness and out of network scheduling practices, maintaining strict confidentiality for all patient accounts. Responsible for short-term and long-term patient financial clearance projects, as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Verify that sufficient information is available for accurate verification and eligibility.
• Determine if a secondary and/or tertiary insurance should be added to the patient’s account ensuring the appropriate payer is selected for Primary insurance.
• Accurately ensure coordination of benefits (COB) is calculated and set up accordingly in NextGen.
• Utilize Rivet, Availity, payer portals and/or contact insurance companies to obtain eligibility, benefits, and/or referral and authorization information.
• Insurance verification for referrals that the lab sends out:

  Verify that reference labs (labs that the team will send specimens for additional testing) or consulting physician take patient insurance

  Collect prior authorization or confirm eligibility for additional testing, especially for HMO and narrow network plans

• Enter the patient insurance information into NextGen ensuring the selection is the appropriate payer and associated financial class.
• Follow the Policies and Procedures when accepting Out of Network payers along with notifying the patient immediately.
• Ensures each patient’s insurance verification is completed and accurate. Document findings in the patient account and contact the patient with either estimated co‑insurance, co‑pay, and/or deductible amounts due on or before the date of service when applicable.
• Contacts each patient as part of center compliance with CMS Conditions for Coverage guidelines in contacting patients prior to the date of service to review patient’s responsibility.
• Check insurance company approved procedure lists/medical policies. Notify patient if procedure is not payable and options per USDP’s Self‑Pay agreement.
• Obtain authorizations and/or referrals from insurance companies/physician’s offices. Ensure complete and accurate information is included on the authorization and entered into NextGen.
• The ability to verify patient insurance eligibility/benefits and pre‑authorization for outside 2nd opinion consults and outside testing.
• Contact the patient and communicate USDP’s financial policy, when applicable.
• Resolve Claim Edits associated with authorizations, demographics, and insurance.
• Track and report trending data associated with claim edits to manager.
• Work and resolve patient insurance‑related tasks. Track repeat tasks and provide to manager.
• Assist with workflow optimization through piloting new procedures, applications, and policies. Track and report findings to manager.
• Adheres to all safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities while supporting a culture of high quality and great customer service.
• Performs other duties that may be necessary or in the best interest of the organization.
• Comfortable working in a high‑volume environment and be able to communicate effectively with clients and patients.

Qualifications: Experience Requirements

• 3+ years of work experience in medical insurance verification and/or patient financial clearance
• 3+ years of work experience in PCP Referral and/or Prior Authorization initiation and follow‑up

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements

• NextGen, Availity and Rivet experience, preferred
• Knowledge of Coordination of Benefits, preferred
• Familiar with individual payer guidelines and the process of collecting in‑office payments/deductibles/copay/co‑insurance.
• Knowledge of payer contracts including Medicare, Commercial and other government contracts, and guidelines.
• Detail oriented, professional attitude, reliable
• Management and organizational skills to support the leadership of this function
• Ability to follow or provide verbal & written instructions with sufficient grammar and spelling skills to avoid mistakes or misinterpretations
• Ability to work successfully under tight timeframes
• Interpersonal skills to support customer service, functional, and team mate support needs
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
• Mathematical and/or analytical ability intermediate to complex problem solving
• Intermediate computer operation
• Experience with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Specialty knowledge of systems relating to job function
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations; general understanding of HIPAA guidelines

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.