Financial Clearance Specialist
At the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), we are creating a better state of care, for our communities and our team members at more than 150 locations across Maryland.
UMMS believes all team members are caregivers—and we support our caregivers so they can care for our patients. When you join UMMS, you become part of a highly reliable community of more than 27,000, where your experience is respected, your expertise is recognized, and your passion and curiosity are nurtured. A generous benefits package supports your physical, mental, and financial health through a paid time off plan, comprehensive health coverage, dependent care and tuition reimbursement, retirement plan, wellbeing services and more.
UMMS embraces a just culture where all team members are treated fairly and are empowered to communicate their goals and pursue their full career potential. We are guided by our shared values—compassion, discovery, excellence, diversity and integrity—and we are looking for talented individuals who will embrace those values and help us achieve our mission and vision.
Financial Clearance Specialist
Job ID: REF37840C
Area of Interest: Professionals
Location: Baltimore,MD US
Hours of Work: M-F
Job Facility: University Of Maryland Medical System Corporate Office
Employment Type: Full Time
Shift: Day
At University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (UM CRMC), our talented and diverse groups of professionals represent our strength. Through teamwork and a collaborative work environment, we proudly serve our patients and our community with unwavering commitment. It’s our passion for people that motivates us to do great work every single day. Consistently named among the top 100 Best Places to Work in Maryland, our team members have the opportunity to grow professionally in a supportive and stimulating environment.
General Summary:
Under general supervision, responsible for processing the patient, insurance and financial clearance aspects for both scheduled and non-scheduled appointments, including, validation of insurance and benefits, routine and complex pre-certification, prior authorizations, and scheduling/pre-registration. Responsible for triaging routine financial clearance work.
Principal Responsibilities and Tasks
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. These are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.
- Processes administrative and financial components of financial clearance including, validation of insurance/benefits, medical necessity validation, routine and complex pre-certification, prior-authorization, scheduling/pre-registration, patient benefit and cost estimates, as well as pre-collection of out of pocket cost share and financial assistance referrals.
- Initiates and tracks referrals, insurance verification and authorizations for all encounters.
- Utilizes third party payer websites, real-time eligibility tools, and telephone to retrieve coverage eligibility, authorization requirements and benefit information, including copays and deductibles.
- Works directly with physician’s office staff to obtain clinical data needed to acquire authorization from carrier.
- Inputs information online or calls carrier to submit request for authorization; provides clinical back up for test and documents approval or pending status.
- Identifies issues and problems with referral/insurance verification processes; analyzes current processes and recommends solutions and improvements.
- Reviews and follows up on pending authorization requests.
- Coordinates and schedules services with providers and clinics.
- Researches delays in service and discrepancies of orders.
- Assists management with denial issues by providing supporting data.
- Pre-registers patients to obtain demographic and insurance information for registration, insurance verification, authorization, referrals and bill processing.
- Develops and maintains a working rapport with inter-departmental personnel including ancillary departments, physician offices, and financial services.
- Assists Medicare patients with the Lifetime Reserve process where applicable.
- Reviews previous day admissions to ensure payer notification upon observation or admission.
- Must be willing to travel between facilities as needed (applies to specific UMMS Facilities).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in healthcare revenue cycle, medical office, hospital, patient access or related experience.
- Experience in healthcare registration, scheduling, insurance referral and authorization processes preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of medical and insurance terminology.
- Knowledge of medical insurance plans, especially manage care plans.
- Ability to understand, interpret, evaluate, and resolve basic customer service issues.
- Excellent verbal communication, telephone etiquette, interviewing, and interpersonal skills to interact with peers, superiors, patients, and members of the healthcare team and external agencies.
- Intermediate analytical skills to resolve problems and provide patient and referring physicians with information and assistance with financial clearance issues.
- Basic working knowledge of UB04 and Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
- Some knowledge of medical terminology and CPT/ICD-10 coding.
- Demonstrate dependability, critical thinking, and creativity and problem-solving abilities.
- Knowledge of registration and admitting services, general hospital administrative practices, operational principles, The Joint Commission, federal, state, and legal statutes preferred.
- Knowledge of the Patient Access and hospital billing operations of Epic preferred.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Compensation:
Pay Range: $18.57-$25.99
Other Compensation (if applicable):