"Collection Representative (U) (3282.1)"

The purpose of this position is to ensure that SIU Healthcare is reimbursed for all professional services rendered, through established credit policies and procedures and the implementation of accounts receivable maintenance cycles.

30% - Collection Activity Duties

• Determines that appropriate billing procedures have been completed. If not, the incumbent follows the appropriate course of action required to accurately complete the billing procedure.
• Analyzes patient accounts and verifies that insurance billing is complete.
• Determines the collection process to be followed in order to resolve the account.
• Contacts the patient via telephone or in writing to remind the patient of their obligation OR refers the account to an external collection agency for collection.
• Enters and/or verifies all data pertinent to patient's demographic and insurance coverage as obtained during routine performance of duties.
• Determines appropriateness of filing an Estate Claim upon notification of patient's death.
• Interacts with attorney and his/her office staff on legal cases to establish if case is pending, and then monitors progress.
• Appeals underpayment by third party payers when appropriate.
• Sends Financial Care Assistance applications to guarantors as warranted.
• Processes credit card payments.

50% - Account Maintenance:

• Skip Traces all returned statements and returned correspondence with patient.
• Provides support to the customer service team as requested.
• Responds to insurance team inquiries.
• Processes NSF check returns.
• Processes financial care assistance discounts.
• Orders personal pay account ledgers.
• Analyzes & processes weekly and monthly system generated reports.
• Responds to correspondence from patients/guarantors.
• Determines accounts requiring maintenance and prepares appropriate adjustment corrections.
• Analyzes credit balances on accounts, and initiates the appropriate course of action.

10% - Reception Area Coverage:

• Provides coverage for the department's switchboard as needed. Coverage includes: answering four (4) incoming telephone lines; receiving, greeting, and directing patients/visitors; and answering routine questions.

10% - Other duties as assigned.

1. Any one or any combination of the following, totaling one (1) year (12 months), from the categories below:

• College course work that included courses in finance, accounting, business administration, or business management, or a closely related field: 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months), Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months), 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months), Bachelor's degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months).
• Collection, consumer credit, or business experience that required knowledge of collection methods and procedures.

About Southern Illinois University - School of Medicine: SIU School of Medicine was established in 1970 with a mission to educate physicians for central and southern Illinois. We are a medical school with four areas of excellence: medical education, patient care, research and community service. SIU School of Medicine provides education to undergraduate medical students, medical and surgical residents, fellows, and physician assistant students. Our clinical practice, SIU Medicine, includes a team of more than 250 health care professionals including university physicians and faculty members who are collectively dedicated to providing excellent medical care, advancement of care through research, and training the next generation of physicians. As the premier provider of health care services, SIU Medicine offers both primary care and specialized treatment services including preventative and diagnostic. SIU works in partnership with hospitals and clinics throughout central and southern Illinois to meet the health care needs of our communities.