Ambulance Billing and Coding Representative I (Front End)

Job Description:

Ambulance Billing and Coding Representative I (Front End)

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of experience with medical terminology, medical insurance, and medical billing and coding principles and practices.

Licenses and Certifications Required:
None.
Notes to Applicants
Position Overview:
Under the direct supervision of the Revenue Cycle Manager, the Ambulance Billing and Coding Representative I will perform a wide variety of billing and coding duties such as verify patient demographics, research insurance eligibility online with various insurance carriers, place phone calls to patients/patients’ family, insurance companies and facility personnel in an attempt to acquire information necessary to verify insurance information. The Ambulance Billing and Coding Representative will also review ambulance trip reports to determine medical necessity, assign appropriate level of care as defined by CMS , and assign proper ICD -10 coding to accurately report the patient’s condition and medical necessity, while maintaining strictest confidentiality and adhering to all HIPAA guidelines and regulations.

Why Recruit for Austin-Travis County EMS :
The Emergency Medical Services department is responsible for managing critical time-sensitive life-threatening emergencies. While most of the assistance EMS gives to the community is medical in nature, everything we do is about service: service to our patients, their families and loved ones; service to our community; and service to the people who make up Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. Additionally, Austin-Travis County EMS is ranked one of the top Emergency Medical Services agencies in the Country creating a pathway to innovative services in emergency medicine making ATCEMS a highly sought after organization for applicants nationwide. As part of the Recruiting team you will have the opportunity to become a part of this unique and distinguished organization.

Why work for the City of Austin?
The City of Austin provides generous benefits including medical, retirement plans, paid time off, as well as hybrid work schedules for eligible positions. Joining our team means you will have access to a network of 17,000+ City of Austin employees and the opportunities for training and professional growth are many!

Regarding your Application:

• A detailed, complete City of Austin employment application is required to evaluate your qualifications and, if selected as a top candidate for the position, will be used when determining salary.
• Statements like “see resume” will not count when determining experience. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience that is relevant to this position. The application and resume must include dates (month and year) for each job history entry. In addition, the resume information must match the information on the application.
• Please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications when responding to the supplemental questions on the application. The responses to the supplemental questions should reference the employment history listed in the employment history section.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

EMS reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs.

VETERANS :
Veterans, we thank you for your service and welcome your application. If you are selected as the top candidate for the position you will be required to provide your DD214.

Are you already a COA employee?
Employees in Good Standing, who are candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in, and who meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for the position will be included in the initial interview.

ATCEMS employee must remain in Good Standing through the Top Candidate Selection phase at which time the Good Standing status will be re-verified.

Assessments:
An assessment will be required prior to interviews for those applicants selected to move in the hiring process.

LANGUAGE :
Must have the ability to read, write, and fluently speak English.
Pay Range
$21.18 - $23.56

Hours
Monday - Friday
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position. The person selected for this position will be required to work in office full-time during a training period of at least six (6) months or more. Performance will be evaluated at the conclusion of the training period to determine hybrid schedule.
Job Close Date 09/26/2024 Type of Posting External Department Emergency Medical Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Clerical Location 15 Waller Street Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience with medical billing and coding in a hospital, doctor’s office, or ambulance provider setting.
• Knowledge of current insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, Worker’s Compensation) to ensure coverage and proper reimbursement
• Experience applying ICD -10 codes
• Experience with medical terminology

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Receives and answers customer service inquiries, requests, and complaints from the public related to ambulance billing. Responds verbally and in writing while complying with HIPAA , other public record laws, and confidentiality. Investigates and gathers information on accounts using a wide variety of resources within the scope of Local, State and Federal laws. Daily contact with confidential medical and credit information requiring knowledge and compliance with laws related to the custody, security, and release of this information. Reviews pre-hospital care reports for completeness and accuracy of information for billing. Researches and enters patient, financial, diagnostic, and statistical information into billing system. Determines order of primary, secondary, or other responsible parties for ambulance fee charges and bills appropriately following Medicare or Medicaid rules. Determines appropriate level of care and medical necessity to assign proper diagnosis codes, and charges based on patient care documentation as defined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS ) guidelines. Electronically submits healthcare-related forms to payers in accordance with filing deadlines. Prints, reviews, and mails billing statements for claims, and follows up to expedite payment in a timely manner. Collects cash and electronic payments. Posts and balances payments on ambulance accounts. Processes refunds and write-offs for management approval. Receives and processes rejected or denied claims and initiates appeal process. Works aging reports to optimize cash flow. Corresponds verbally and in writing with patients, third-party payers, and insurance carriers on claim denials and past due accounts for resolution of payment issues.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of medical, insurance, and healthcare terminology.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and general anatomy.
• Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal laws, including HIPAA , Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health plans.
• Knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping practices and concepts, as well as cash handling and account collection procedures and practices.
• Skill in medical coding.
• Skill in insurance verification.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships to internal and external customers.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications, multiple line phone systems, credit card machines, and online credit card payment systems.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Skill in reviewing (proofreading) material to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established formats.
• Skill in interpreting and analyzing applicable data.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service.
• Ability to understand and communicate technical information.
• Ability to exercise discretion in confidential matters.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to work under pressure with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to manage conflicts and concerns and work with difficult customers.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires a graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of experience with medical terminology, medical insurance, and medical billing and coding principles and practices. Do you meet the minimum qualifications for this position?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* Please provide the number of years experience with medical billing and coding in a hospital, doctor's office, or ambulance provider setting.

• No Experience
• Less than two (2) years of experience
• Two (2) or more years of experience

* Please describe your knowledge of current insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, Worker’s Compensation) to ensure coverage and proper reimbursement.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience applying ICD-10 codes.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience with medical terminology.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents