Senior Finance and Accounting Specialist

University of Missouri, St. Louis; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Missouri, St. Louis College of Optometry is seeking a Senior Finance and Accounting Specialist to manage accounts receivable, billing and insurance processes.

You will verify insurance coverage, process claims, generate denial analyses, and prepare reports on payment trends while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Collaboration with insurers, patients and internal teams is essential to optimize reimbursements and patient accounts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary.
• 4-5 years of accounts receivable bookkeeping experience preferred.
• 2+ years of medical or optometric patient accounts experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Verify insurance coverage, patient benefits and compile itemized bills.
• Verify and maintain medically necessary contact lens benefits, including eligibility and payer requirements.
• Create, maintain, and analyze billing and insurance reports, including denial analysis and payment trends.
• Answer patient questions regarding billing statements and insurance coverage.
• Prepare forms outlining expenses for governmental, welfare and other agencies paying for specified patients.
• Record insurance payments and close out file when paid in full; prepare unpaid claims for transfer to collection agencies.
• Process insurance and/or payment claims, including submission, follow up and payment application.
• Utilize multiple internal and external computer programs to process billing submissions and achieve prompt payment processing.

Skills

Accounts receivable

Bookkeeping

Medical billing

Patient accounts

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Hiring Department

College of Optometry

Job Description

• Verify insurance coverage, patient benefits and compile itemized bills. Verify accuracy of information on claims, such as patient information, policy numbers, diagnosis, and coded services itemizations. Telephone, write or fax insurance company to obtain information regarding extent of insurance benefit. Verify accuracy of total bill showing amounts covered by insurance and co-pay amounts.
• Verify and maintain medically necessary contact lens benefits, including eligibility, coverage, limitations, and payer requirements. File, track, and follow up on medically necessary contact lens claims, ensuring accurate documentation and timely reimbursement.
• Create, maintain, and analyze billing and insurance reports, including denial analysis, claim status, payment trends, and outstanding balances. Identify denial patterns and root causes, document findings, and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Answer patient questions regarding billing statements and insurance coverage.
• Telephone, write or fax insurance companies with unpaid insurance claims to obtain settlement of claim.
• Prepare forms outlining expenses for governmental, welfare and other agencies paying for specified patients. Explain benefit coverage to patient.
• Record insurance payments and close out file when paid in full. Prepare unpaid claims for transfer to collection agencies.
• Process insurance and/or payment claims, including submission, follow up and payment application in accordance with all department productivity and accuracy standards.
• Utilize multiple internal and external computer programs and applications to process billing submissions and achieve prompt and optimum payment processing and deposit.
• Review and analyze billing edits, errors, unpaid claims etc. and resolve within scope of authority.
• Analyze and determine appropriate action to be taken on inquiries from patients and payers and resolve within scope of authority.
• Analyze and monitor trends and problems pertaining to patient billing, provide documentation, and report/recommend action to Supervisor.
• Monitor and evaluate patient accounts and refer delinquent accounts for collection, and may participate in collection activities.
• May verify insurance coverage and conduct credit checks.
• May make arrangements for, and confirm, payments including financial assistance and self-pay payments.
• Remain knowledgeable of federal, state and payer billing regulations and conduct all activities within established regulatory requirements.

May be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Shift

40 hours/week. Monday-Friday

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• 4-5 years of accounts receivable bookkeeping experience
• 2+ years of experience in medical or optometric patient accounts

Anticipated Hiring Range

$19.25 - $27.40

Grade: GGS-008
University Title: SENIOR FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Application materials include a cover letter and resume. Finalists will be asked to provide references at a later date. Applicants must combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment to the UMSL Careers: https://www.umsl.edu/services/hrs/careers/index.html. Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). For questions about the application process, please email [e-mail]. If you are experiencing technical problems, please email [e-mail]

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of HumanResources at [e-mail].