Financial Clearance Specialist II - Pre Arrival - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Non-Union)

The Financial Clearance Specialist II is responsible for ensuring insurance eligibility, benefit verification, and the authorization processes are complete in the time allowed by the insurance companies to prevent denials or penalties. Specialist II are responsible for documenting accurate insurance information and authorization details to optimize reimbursement from both the payer and patient. The Specialist II must maintain strong working knowledge of insurance plans, contract requirements, and resources to facilitate appropriate insurance verification and authorization. Individuals must be able to run eligibility and secure full benefit coverage information (including COBRA when applicable) with insurance companies and employers, confirm all demographic information is correct, and ensure coordination of benefit (COB) and insurance plan codes are accurate. Specialist II must verify insurance coverage immediately for inpatient and outpatient accounts that are same day and next day add-ons. Financial Clearance Specialist II must determine if pre-certification, pre-authorization or a referral is required for insurance companies and obtain if applicable. The individual will be expected to communicate with providers and team regarding out-of-network issues, assess contracted and non-contracted payer issues, and document outcomes and next steps. Specialist II must also determine, communicate, and collect patient liability prior to service and attempt to collect prior balances. Representatives are to conduct all transactions appropriately and consistently, and complete Medicare Secondary Questionnaire accurately with the patient or patient's representative. Specialist II must maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations as it pertains to the insurance processes. Representatives must maintain professional development by attending workshops, in-services, and webinars to remain up-to-date on insurance rules and regulations in addition to changes within the industry. Financial Clearance Specialist II is responsible for submitting authorizations for lab, diagnostic, and hospital ambulatory services and all other services as required.

Essential Duties:

• Responsible for completing all registration and insurance fields in hospital registration information system.
• Ensure all insurance plans are properly selected in all registration and scheduling information systems.
• Confirm benefits align with appropriate plan code selected in registration system assuring clean claim.
• Responsible for calling insurance or use Internet portals to obtain and document: a) Insurance eligibility and benefits, b) Financial responsibility, c) Authorization and/or Pre-Certification as required.
• Responsible for calculating patient liability on hospital and professional accounts and communicating/collecting the liability from the patient.
• Responsible for accurate submission of CPT and ICD 10 coding.
• Research payer medical policy requirements for treatment.
• Communicate with physician offices regarding proposed admissions, special procedures, outpatient referrals.
• Communication with medical/clinical staff and patients on authorization status/outcome and / or with Director on denied or disputed claims. Responsible for preparing pre-registration on scheduled procedures.
• Contact patients and / or Physician office as needed for additional information.
• Utilize fax applications as appropriate and perform document imaging as required.
• Scan all authorizations into appropriate system under the respective patient accounts and document outcomes in the registration system.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Req High school or equivalent Or GED required.
• Req 1 year Minimum 1 year of experience in a hospital, health plan or Physician office environment with the ability to submit authorizations for office visits and laboratory services, perform insurance verification, call patient to conduct pre-registration, facilitate self-pay estimates.
• Req Knowledge of business office procedures.
• Req Knowledge of medical terminology and coding.
• Req Knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation to type patient information.
• Req Must be able to verify insurance and intermediate knowledge of both CPT codes and medical terminology.
• Req Must also be able to understand and interpret patient liability and benefits for HMOs and all payer types.
• Req Ability to read, understand, and follow oral, and written instructions and establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, employees, and the public.
• Req Excellent time management, organizational skills, research/analytical skills, negotiation, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills. Capable of working assigned shifts, overtime when approved.
• Req Capable of reading the policy and procedure manual and understanding information pertaining to specific job duties and the general information for all hospital employees.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only).

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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