University of Minnesota Looking for Patient Accounts Representative at United States, Minnesota, Minneapolis Full Time

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is recruiting a Patient Accounts Representative to join our team!

• The pay range for this position is $23.08 – $25.00/hour (or $48,000 – $52,000/year) depending on your experience and qualifications.
• The standard work hours for this position are 8:00-4:30 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch break. There may be flexibility in the start and end time as determined with the supervisor.

The Patient Accounts Representative will interact with patients, guarantors, students, faculty, staff and the public to promote the timeliness of patient care, collection of patient fees and resolution of patient questions and concerns through helpful, friendly, clear, concise, knowledgeable and accurate verbal and written communications.

If a patient questions their bill, you’ll help get to the bottom of the issue!

In this position, you’ll:

• serve as a liaison (business representative) the patient accounting office and the school’s dental clinics.
• communicate and implement the School of Dentistry’s payment policies and procedures.
• provide and capture information to assist patients in establishing their accounts and help them with questions about their accounts and bills.
• collect fees for dental services, handle patient/guarantor/third party billing.
• perform quality assurance and account adjustments/refunds.

The Patient Accounts Representative is a member of the Patient Accounting team. We rely on each other to make the strongest team possible! We support the mission of the School of Dentistry, which is to advance health through scientific discovery, innovative education, and the highest-quality care for all communities.

We look after you:

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes medical, vision, dental, and pharmacy coverage; life insurance; retirement; long-term care insurance; and disability coverage – see below for more.
• Come. Work. Stay. Play. The U of M is conveniently accessible by light rail, bus, and bike. And we offer discounted bus/train transportation through our “U-Pass” program.
• The University of Minnesota embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills!

The detailed position responsibilities of this position:

Account Management & Problem Solving 45%

• Communicate payment expectations and enforce payment policies with patients and students and collects deposits or payments.
• Promote fee collections prior to services provided to reduce patient billings.
• Formalize account terms with MHCP recipients and/or other state programs prior to initiation of treatment – explaining plan coverage, plan restrictions, and/or non-covered services.
• Access computerized financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.
• Assist in acquiring payment from third party payers on outstanding balances affecting payment performance on patient accounts (i.e.: acquiring new insurance information for submission).
• Resolve customer service or billing concerns by performing activities such as refunding money and/or adjusting accounts with appropriate authorization.
• Check to ensure that appropriate changes were made to resolve customer concerns.
• Contact customers in order to respond to inquiries or to advise them of claim investigation results and any planned adjustments.
• Refer unresolved patient grievances to designated departments for further investigation.
• Explain third party coverage and limitations to patients.
• Contact insurance companies either by phone or internet for insurance benefit information when needed.
• Contact patients/guarantors either day prior or day of appointment regarding balance due on delinquent accounts and collect fees prior to next appointment.
• Act as contact person for patients/guarantors with current – 150 day old accounts.
• Break down account summary-charges, payments, adjustments and identifies past due balances, previous write offs and is able to explain to patient/guarantor.
• Investigate patient concerns received by mail, phone, or in person.
• Refer account problems/concerns to supervisor or private collection agency when needed.
• Explain, promote, and enforce clinic and payment policies and processes.
• Advise students, residents, and faculty via copy of EOB (explanation of benefits) in appropriate mail box with results of pre-determinations/prior authorizations.
• Work during peak periods such as the beginning and end of each clinic session and/or during each billing cycle.

Cash Handling/Bookkeeping/Accounts Receivable 20%

• Follow accurate cash handling policies and procedures outlined by U of M.
• Calculate and give accurate change and/or collects appropriate payments.
• Prepare receipts for phone payments daily and deliver to cashier’s office.
• Review and audit patient records for complete entries when balancing against computer system.
• Processes daily A/R adjustments and refunds with minimal errors.

Customer Relations & Services 15%

• Connect with patients, students, staff, and faculty in a friendly, effective, and business-like manner whether in person or by phone.
• Greet patients in a cheerful manner by determining the nature and purpose of the visit and directing or escorting them to specific destinations.
• Provide information about the school such as location of departments/offices or students, residents, faculty and staff within the University.
• Operate our telephone system to answer, screen and forward calls providing information and/or taking messages.
• Attend and participate in clinic and other operational meetings.
• Attend and participate in orientation sessions.
• Provide training to students, staff, and faculty regarding patient accounting requirements, procedures and expectations.

Data Processing and Entry/General Office Equipment 15%

• Update and/or enter pertinent information on axiUm, Dentistry’s patient management computer system.
• Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store and analyze information.
• Check figures, postings and documents for accurate entry, mathematical accuracy and proper ADA procedure codes.
• Keep records of customer interactions and transactions, recording details of inquiries, complaints and comments as well as actions taken on axiUm patient management system.
• Prepare letters, memos, or e-mails to correspond with patients/students/residents/staff/faculty.
• Access Internet for various websites to verify MHCP or insurance eligibility.
• Operate general office equipment i.e.: copier, fax machine, calculator and telephone system.
• Navigate Dentistry computer system efficiently through knowledge of axiUm patient management system.
• Enter and process third party pre-determinations/prior authorizations.
• Enter write offs into axiUm as received.
• Process check request forms for entry into PeopleSoft for completion of refunds to patients, guarantors, or other payers.
• Place electronic holds for incomplete contracting and/or delinquent account holds as needed.
• Enter Care Credit applications and/or process transactions online for Care Credit finance options.

Back-up Coverage and Other Duties 5%

• Review and process 60 day report (updating insurance or MHCP coverage).
• Provide back up coverage when other staff are absent.
• Follow federal, state and University policies, procedures and regulations.
• Process returned mail for accurate addresses.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience working with Explanations of Benefits (EOB).
• Four years of office experience and/or training beyond high school to include:
  • customer service (phone and in-person),
  • experience with computers,
  • bookkeeping (accounts receivable), and
  • cash handling and/or fee collections.
• Intermediate digital literacy skills, including email, word processing and spreadsheets

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state’s only dental school and the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest. We are a regional resource to five states for dental education, consulting services, patient treatment, and ongoing continuing dental education.

The School of Dentistry educates general dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental educators and research-scientists. For more than two decades, we’ve offered specialty training in six ADA-recognized disciplines: Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics and Prosthodontics.

We also offer an advanced education program in TMD and orofacial pain, oral biology, dental hygiene, and oral health for older adults.

Dentists who are graduates of dental schools outside of the United States and Canada wishing to practice in the United States train here, as well. A novel, interdisciplinary Dentist-Scientist Training Program rounds out our educational offerings.

Our work affects nearly every person in Minnesota. We educate 73% of the state’s practicing dentists, 68% of Minnesota’s licensed dental therapists, and 49% of its dental hygiene educators. Our researchers develop and test dental materials used by every dentist in the state and around the world.

Our students and faculty treat patients: 105,260 patient-visits each year in our Twin Cities’ campus clinics and 48,700 in outreach sites located in underserved communities throughout the state. We provide continuing dental education for 7,100 practicing dental professionals each year.

The School of Dentistry is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Diverse teams, perspectives, and backgrounds create a strong and creative team that best serves the University’s many communities, on campus and beyond. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, women, veterans, and members of historically underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit our website,.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: .

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.