At Houston Methodist, the Supervisor Cash Applications position is responsible for overseeing the daily entry, reconciliation, electronic data interchange, and analysis of all insurance activity between the bank lockbox, patient accounting system, and the general ledger. The Supervisor Cash Applications monitors all payment sources assigned, including any electronic remittance advices (ERA) and manual transactions to ensure that all payment transactions received from all payor sources are fully accounted for, accurately credited and debited as appropriate, and balanced daily between the bank account, Epic system, and accounting ledgers.



The supervisor position responsibilities include overseeing the daily work activities of the work unit/department staff, ensuring quality, productivity, functional excellence and efficiency. This position trains and supervises staff while maintaining adequate staffing levels and budget compliance. The supervisor position contributes to staffing decisions such as hiring, coaching and counseling employees on work related performance. This position assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective work environment. Other duties for the supervisor position include participating in performance improvement activities, as well as providing support for department management to achieve operational goals. This position may also perform staff duties and responsibilities as needed.

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

• Participates in management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees in the department. Provides development and mentoring of staff. Ensures that all department staff are properly trained and comply with all policies and procedures. Assists with meeting or exceeding threshold goal for department turnover.

• Consults with department leadership on coaching/corrective counseling and staff performance to achieve desired outcomes. Conducts new hire feedback sessions and provides recognition/commendations, as appropriate.

• Creates and maintains an environment of collaboration by role modeling teamwork within the department. Effectively interacts within and between departments ensuring seamless flow of information/communication. Role models clear and professional communication to facilitate problem resolution to achieve mutual understanding. Teaches others to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and follows up consistently.

• Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.

• Creates and maintains positive working relationships with key stakeholders to ensure bi-lateral communication of issues/concerns are appropriately addressed and analyzed. Supervisor should take the lead role in providing education to key stakeholders.

• Responsible for ensuring coverage and back up when necessary in the cash posting department particularly providing coverage during month end activities

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversees daily department operations, schedule and activities. Sets priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.

• Organizes the workflow, proactively problem solves, anticipates needs, and manages multiple ongoing priorities. Provides reports to management of needs, issues to be addressed, and all important information necessary to ensure department success. Serves and actively participates on various committees as directed

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures a safe and effective working environment; assists in monitoring and/or revising the department safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory agency required safety guidelines.

• Uses and optimizes information systems to enhance operations; participates in performance improvement and data management/analysis functions as directed.

• Employs a proactive approach in the optimization of positive outcomes by monitoring and improving the department workflow, supporting peer-to-peer accountability, and identifying solutions via collaboration. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety. Participates in investigations as a result of the root cause analysis process as assigned by manager.

• Monitors self and ensures employee compliance with policies, procedures, and System HR Standards of Practice and performs associated actions upon non-compliance (i.e., focal point review requirements, disaster plan, in services, influenza immunization, wage and hour, standard hours, timely termination submission, timely timecard approval, etc.).

• Establishes continuous training and learning opportunities for staff members.

• Participates in and ensures compliance within regulatory and Houston Methodist policies, practices and standards; coordinates training opportunities as needed.

• Ensures protection of private health and personal information. Adheres to all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance regulations

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in the management of essential and non-essential department expenditures to achieve financial target through optimization of productivity, supply/resource efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime and overtime percentage, and other areas according to department specifications.

• Manages staffing needs including scheduling, time off requests and time keeping.

• Works closely with third party recovery vendors to ensure their understanding and interpretation of the managed care contract terms and intent. Reviews and approves any monies recovered by third party recovery vendor for appropriateness. Supervises and reviews all transactions from work driver rejections/exceptions. Executes the timely and accurate resolution of unidentifiable/unmatched cash receipts.

• Supervises all posting software to ensure that all assigned electronic remittance advices (ERAs) received will post and works with the Cash Applications and Systems Support Manager to resolve any ERA posting issues.

• Coordinates with Treasury Management and Financial Accounting as needed to ensure that all insurance debits and credits are accurately reflected in the daily activity. Plays a key role in month end by clearing any assigned tasks for month end; assists with additional research and/or posting as needed to close month properly.

• Performs cash reconciliation to ensure cash is posted on a daily basis. Additionally, ensures the reconciliation within Epic® to ensure timely postings. Oversees and assists in resolving unmatched cash transactions in a timely manner. Thoroughly utilizes all available resources to research any potential refund to ensure accuracy and prepares refund requests when appropriate

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implements change, demonstrating the ability to motivate employees and follow through to ensure change in behavior has actually occurred. Supports Houston Methodist and department goals and vision. Identifies industry trends and implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department operations.

• Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving competencies, performance and outcomes. Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging staff/team members in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. Conducts conversations with staff on their development and My Development Plan (MDP).

• Seeks opportunities to identify self developmental needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates MDP on an on-going basis.

• Supervises testing and auditing with Information Technology as changes and upgrades are implemented. Resolves issues with customers and vendors, making changes and corrections as needed and coordinating communication of changes to departmental staff

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 accredited homeschool equivalency, enrollment or completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Associate's degree in healthcare, accounting or related field preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience in managed care and/or contract modeling

• Three years of experience working with cash applications teams with one year of supervisory or team lead experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• EPIC - Certification

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 through a variety of channels with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles; engages the recipient(s) and helps them understand and retain the message

• Demonstrates the ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization

• Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative, effective interpersonal skills, and oral/written communication skills

• Ability to identify and understand issues, problems and opportunities; and recommend solutions

• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment

• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace

• Strong communication (verbal and written), organizational, problem solving, and team player skills

• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment, prioritize projects, and work independently with attention to detail

• Demonstrates a high level of professionalism, customer service, and interpersonal skills and operate under strict confidentiality due to the significant amount of protected health information (PHI)

• Ability to analyze, identify, and articulate identified trends and report trends succinctly in a clear and concise manner

• Knowledge of Epic® or professional and hospital system billing software related to registration, charge entry/billing and payment posting preferred

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

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

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 No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group - As one of the nation’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers Houston Methodist has brought together some of the nation’s leading experts in multiple specialties to serve our patients.  As part of Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group (HMSPG), these specialists not only provide excellent clinical care, but are on the forefront of research, developing leading-edge technologies and treatments, and teaching the medical pioneers of tomorrow.  This combination of clinical service, research and academics ensures patients have access to the latest in treatments and technologies while providing the best in comprehensive patient care.  Established as a non-profit corporation and certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, HMSPG enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to their clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.