Legal Career Center

The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology serves as a regional resource for clinical laboratory services required for patient care, research and educational programs in laboratory medicine. The department now employs 1400 people who work at the award-winning University of Washington Medical Center (ranked among the top medical centers in the United States as rated by U.S. News & World Report), Harborview Medical Center (the region's only Level I Trauma center, known for innovations and excellence in trauma care and its centers of emphasis: Trauma, Burn, Neurosciences, AIDS/STD CARER, and mentally-and medically-vulnerable populations.), and many other clinical and research facilities in the area. The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement and natural beauty.

Laboratory Medicine and Pathology has an outstanding opportunity for a Full-Time (100%, 40 hours per week), Days, Patient Account Representative 3. This is a hybrid position working a mixture of remote and at the Columbia Tower.

The Patient Account Representative 3 will perform the following duties:

Handle a high volume of calls with patients, their families or representatives, insurance companies, attorneys, corporate clients, etc. in a structured environment working under a set schedule and tight timeframes;

Work as a liaison between patients and other UW Medicine entities to resolve complicated billing issues;

Review and respond to written inquiries about laboratory services, insurance information, account status and related billing issues.

Review and evaluate account status in Xifin billing system for all payments received.

Enter payment data in account files using a computer-based accounts receivable program.  Take appropriate action on remaining balances, which may include referral to the past-due specialist.

Provide initial telephone screening for financial assistance and assist patients in completing financial assistance applications.

Set up prepayment and confidential account for patients.

Contact insurance companies to clarify and resolve payment and coverage issues.

Provide input to supervisor regarding billing/accounts receivable computer program changes.

Download and Upload electronic posting.

Generate invoices for laboratory services, using computer-based billing programs, private hospitals, clinics, physician's offices, insurance companies, private laboratories, and private individuals and/or patients.

Modify and update billing information in the computer and make other necessary changes to keep the computer billing database accurate.

Oversee filing system for lab request forms, invoice copies and other documents.

Contact insurance companies to clarify and resolve payment and coverage issues.

Perform complex banking/financial reconciliation and coordinate posting activities.

Assist community users regarding our laboratory services and billing policies, insurance information, and alternative options available to them.

Comply with all departmental, institutional and health care agency policies, rules and regulations.

Maintain confidentiality of information, including protected health information (PHI);

Participate in and attend meetings and training as required.

Assist in orienting and training new staff.

Perform the work of a Patient Account Representative 2.

Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS
High School graduation or equivalent AND three years of experience in patient accounting, customer service, or a related office environment.
OR
Equivalent education/experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Medical insurance billing and accounts receivable education/experience.

DESIRED

Knowledge of and ability to work with computer-based accounts receivable programs.

Knowledge of medical terminology, CPT billing codes, and ICD-10 diagnosis codes.

Experienced at customer service relations. 

Familiarity with Macintosh-based Microsoft Word and Excel programs.

Excellent typing and 10-key skills.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to remain flexible and accept change.

Experience using Sunquest Laboratory system.

Experience using Xifin Billing system.