Hire Patient Account Representatives
Patient account representatives are a part of the administrative staff at hospitals and clinical facilities and are responsible for a variety of tasks related to patients' accounts. They ensure that a patient’s account is up to date, especially at the time of payments. They aid in collections of past due accounts, request insurance claims and review denials, organize and sort disputed claim requests and forward them to the appropriate department. The representatives supervise and coordinate among different departments, including: collections, account services, credit coordinators, and customer service representatives to ensure the quality and timeliness of the operations within each area. The average salary of patient account representatives in the United States is $39,824 per year with a range between $35,972 and $44,339. Salary ranges can differ based on factors such as education, certifications, additional skills, and years of experience.
Patient Account Representative Responsibilities
As a patient account representative, the employee will perform collection services and follow up on non-delinquent accounts for medical facilities with a high volume. They are typically responsible for processing and managing patient claims, collecting payments from patients, resolving issues and answering queries relating to patient accounts, assisting them with details on repayment structures, recovering overdue payment from patients, and undertaking negotiations. They also generate billing entries, print or e-mail bills for patients including payment plan options, create reports, and explain insurance benefits to patients. Patient account representatives are required to perform reporting activities and review delinquent and due accounts promptly. They are also accountable for contacting insurance companies for claim processing and reimbursements as well as coordinating with insurance companies to resolve payment problems and reimbursement issues. These representatives stay abreast of regulatory requirements concerning collection practices and patient assistance and assist in updating and implementing procedural information and policies as necessary. Due to the nature of their job, patient account representatives interact with patients regularly.
Patient Account Representative Requirements
Employers require a high school diploma of candidates, and prefer applicants with an associate degree as well. Proven experience as a patient account representative with exposure to medical billing and collections in a clinical setting is often required. Candidates must be proficient in computer software and technology, especially knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Additionally, candidates should have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Applicants who have the aptitude for calculations and medical terminology and have impressive analytical and problem-solving abilities will be strong candidates. In addition, the ability to navigate complex problems effectively and spend long hours in front of the computer screen is required.
