Title Medical Billing Specialist 

Location Human Service Center 

FTE Status, Benefit Status: Full-time

Schedule: Days

Position exists to prepare customer bills/statements for payment.

About UnityPoint Health - UnityPlace:

UnityPoint Health - UnityPlace is proud to offer the most comprehensive addiction and mental health services in the Peoria, Illinois.  UnityPlace was formed by the joining of UnityPoint Health®, Human Service Center and Tazwood Center for Wellness in April of 2019. UnityPlace is a new non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the growing behavioral health care needs of the community. 

Our goal is to deliver comprehensive behavioral healthcare to optimize the patient's well-being. It is our privilege to partner with our patients on their journey of healing. 

As a member of the UnityPlace Team, our team members are eligible for a benefits package including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement
• Paid Time Off

Additional benefits are available, apply today to discuss our full benefits package!

Key Position Responsibilities, include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Knowledge of the Accounts Receivable systems.

• Ability to process insurance and other invoices and to post payments and other account adjustments.

• Ability to process new and re-done financial documents; knowledge of payer requirements to 1) qualify for financial assistance, 2) report and/or invoice services; knowledge of various insurance company requirements to invoice claims for third party payment.

2. Performs various functions for specific consumer accounts in the areas of general account maintenance, invoicing, posting, reconciling and third-party follow-ups.

3. Participates in the handling of inquiries from consumers, clinical staff, and third-party carriers regarding specific consumer accounts and associated transactions. Works with consumer for best option of payment, timeframes, and set up payment plan when necessary.

4. Performs collections activities concerning overdue accounts. Sends itemized statement to collection agency on accounts that do not qualify for financial assistance.   

5. Performs various types of filing; sorts and distributes departmental mail; assists external auditors in various phases of specific audit processes.

6. Maintains documentation in compliance with organizational standards, Mental Health Codes, and licensure requirements that is complete, accurate, and timely.

7. Participates in performance improvement (PI) activities.

8. Participates in training and educational activities in order to achieve, maintain, and/or upgrade skills.

9. Participates in/receives administrative supervision activities: staff meetings, leave schedules, time sheets, etc.

• Participates in staff meetings on a weekly basis.
• Uses leave time in a manner benefiting personal and unit needs.

10. Performs actions that demonstrate accountability.

• Exercises judgment and decision-making that is safe, logical, and deliberate.
• Practices within legal and ethical guidelines of organization and/or discipline.
• Uses available resources and asks for help.
• Follows mandatory safety procedures and guidelines and uses prescribed safety equipment as needed.
• Displays willing, responsive actions to meet needs of all consumers and/or company needs.

11. Utilizes appropriate channels of communication.

• Independently handles communication in a manner that promotes support and decreases conflict.
• Utilizes problem-solving and assertiveness techniques to prevent conflict and promote discussion.

12. Recognizes and conveys essential information to appropriate parties.

• Recognizes and reports essential information to members of the team within the required timeframe.
• Reports promptly any critical or unusual situations and completes incident reports as needed.

13. Demonstrates courteous, respectful, helping, and caring behavior toward consumers, visitors, co-workers and outside contacts.

Performance Standards:

1. Maintains open and honest communication.
2. Recognizes, respects and effectively deals with values and cultural beliefs of others.

Education and/or Experience:

Requires high school diploma or GED plus one semester of “Principles of Accounting”. An Associate’s Degree in accounting is preferred. Requires minimum of two years’ experience in billing and cash collections within a computerized system.

Language Skills:

Ability to read/comprehend/analyze/interpret bills, payments and related communication and insurance policy language.

Ability to write consumer correspondence.

Ability to present/respond one-on-one with internal and external customers.

Requires good phone skills.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written or oral instructions.

Ability to deal with problems involving a few/several concrete variables in standardized situations; and to prioritize job assignments.

Physical Demands:

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.

There are no unusual physical demands required in this position.