This is a PRN Registration and Billing position (non-benefited) that will report to the Corporate Wellness department. The following are further details about the role:

• Coverage at corporate partner locations around the Greater Houston Area (mileage reimbusement available)
• Temporary role for the Fall to assist with Corporate Sponsorship events
• As needed schedule with an average of two-week notice 

At Houston Methodist, the Registration & Billing Representative position is responsible for processing and maintaining charges and payments for self pay, company pay or insurance pay patient procedures. This position registers patients, verifies demographics information, greets patients, and performs check in and/or check out functions after services have been rendered. Additional responsibilities include serving as a financial liaison for patients, verifying benefit eligibility, ensuring correct charge and payment capture is conducted, distributing appropriate receipts to the patient, and reconciling billing and invoices.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal departmental and organizational results.

• Communicates openly in a non-judgmental manner and in a professional demeanor during all interactions with customers and co-workers.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Enters new patient demographic information into the computer system. Verifies insurance coverage and eligibility.

• Resolves routine patient billing inquiries and problems. May perform insurance billing clerical work, including reviewing and verifying insurance accounts against program/ procedure provisions.

• Prepares patients for procedures (e.g., explains what is allowed to eat/drink and when, instructs what to wear, escorts patient to dressing room, etc.).

• Retrieves and processes daily physician procedure logs (e.g., EKG's, Echo, Nuclear, Holter, Treadmill, etc.).

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Checks in patients and verifies demographics in system.

• Ensures that patient chart is prepared for all components of patient schedule.

• Consistently takes the necessary steps to ensure that protected health information remains private and confidential, according to established Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. Uses patient identifiers consistently to properly identify patients and the correct medical records. Refrains from issuing new medical record numbers to patients with existing accounts.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Communicates with patient and/or third parties about covered and non-covered charges. Enters financial data into system to begin accounts receivable process.

• Reconciles billing and invoices, checks balances, produces statements, and maintains client files.

• Balances daily charges and daily batch payment postings in system with schedule and payments received.

• Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Displays initiative to improve job functions. Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility during changing demands. Offers suggestions to streamline process for efficient patient flow.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of clerical experience to include one year of billing experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Strong customer service, phone and scheduling skills

• Knowledge of insurance requirements for physician visits and procedures

• Knowledge of requirements for non-invasive lab procedures

• Ability to multi-task and flexibility to meet the requirements of the patients and the department

• Ability to problem solve

• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations with patience and understanding

• Proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs

• Ability to handle detail work accurately and rapidly

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform Yes
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.