Lead Insurance Specialist

Oversees daily operations of all insurance specialists and registration specialists who work on all appointments and procedures being authorized. Responsible for training and keeping insurance staff up to date on all changes to insurance coverage. Updates and informs their manager/supervisor on any insurance updates and changes. The incumbent is responsible for assuring all appointments and procedures are authorized. Insurance carriers are contacted to verify coverage and benefit limitations.

Tests and procedures are pre-authorized and scheduled. Deductibles, co-payments, account balances, and fees are calculated and notations are added to the system for front end collection. Responsible for minimizing reimbursement errors resulting from inaccuracy of referral and enrollment information.

• High school graduate or equivalent.

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Training new and existing insurance specialists on the insurance needs and processes in clinical offices.
• Ongoing training and sharing of updates and changes to insurance coverages.
• Identifies all patients requiring pre-certification or pre-authorization at the time services are requested or when notified by another hospital or clinic department.
• Follows up on accounts as indicated by system flags.
• Contacts insurance company or employer to determine eligibility and benefits for requested services.
• Follows up with the patient, insurance company or provider if there are insurance coverage issues in order to obtain financial resolution.
• Use work queues within the EPIC system for scheduling, transition of care, and billing edits.
• Performs medical necessity screening as required by third party payors.
• Documents referrals/authorization/certification numbers in the EPIC system.
• Initiates charge anticipation calculations. Accurately identifies anticipated charges to assure identification of anticipated self-pay portions.
• Communicates with the patient the anticipated self-pay portion co-payments/deductibles/co-insurance, and account balance refers self-pay, patients with limited or exhausted benefits to the in-house Financial Counselors to determine eligibility.
• Maintains current knowledge of major payor payment provisions and regulations.
• Assists Patient Financial Services with denial management issues and will appeal denials based on medical necessity as needed.
• Ability to accurately utilize applicable computer software and equipment for access processing.
• Demonstrates ability to follow established computer down time procedures.
• Participates in educational programs to meet mandatory requirements and identified needs with regard to job and personal growth.
• Follows established work systems, identifies deviations or deficiencies in standards/systems/processes and communicates problems to supervisor or manager)
• Maintains confidentiality according to policy when interacting with patients, physicians, families, co-workers and the public regarding demographic/clinical/financial information.
• Is polite and respectful when communicating with staff, physicians, patients and families. Approaches interpersonal relations in a positive manner.
• Uses hospital communications systems (fax, pagers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and computers) in accordance with hospital standards.
• Communicates problems hindering workflow to management in a timely manner.
• Assesses all self-pay patients for potential public assistance through registration/billing systems Provides self-pay/under-insured patients with financial counseling information. Maintains current knowledge of major payor payment provisions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods of sitting.
• Extended periods on the telephone requiring clarity of hearing and speaking.
• Manual dexterity required to operate standard office equipment.
• Must have manual dexterity to operate keyboards, fax machines, telephones and other business equipment.

The work environment…