Job Description
Job Description
Organization Overview :
SoundCommunity Services, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated toeducating, assisting, and supporting individuals with persistent mental illnessand substance use disorders. We work tirelessly to create a culture andenvironment in which recovery and wellness are possible.
Position Overview :
The Behavioral Health Coding and Billing Specialist is critical in ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and efficiency of coding and billing practices for the organization. The work location will be onsite at the 21 Montauk Ave. New London, CT location, with potential for some hybrid work after the successful completion of the probationary period. The Behavioral Health Coding and Billing Specialist is responsible for supporting coding workflows, monitoring dashboards, monitoring and resolving denials, coordinating with teams, and supporting quality improvement initiatives. The Behavioral Health Coding and Billing Specialist will collaborate with departments to promptly resolve barriers to coding completion and denials. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in coding, regulatory compliance, and data analysis, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
This position will work with the Finance Department, Outpatient Clinic Team, and the Revenue Cycle Management vendor on revenue cycle performance to meet short term strategic goals and will provide analysis and create written guidelines, policies, and procedures in accordance with implementation of all work processes. The expectation of the position is to incorporate the company’s vision, mission and values in the position.
Essential Functions :
Coding Review & Resolution
- Responsible for resolving claims edit denials prior to billing.
- Review accounts that are not final billed to identify coding-related issues and determine appropriate resolution actions.
- Investigate and resolve coding denials in coordination with relevant departments.
- Review accounts flagged by coding systems or other departments for accuracy and compliance.
- Apply and adhere to outpatient and external coding guidelines and regulations.
Conduct research to resolve complex coding issues.
Oversee coding denial and edit work-queues for aging accounts and claims errors.Coding and Credentialing Alignment and Staff CalibrationSupports quarterly E&M and billing audits, in compliance with CARF standards, by providing necessary documentation in an organized, detailed and timely manner to meet objectives.Ensures accurate coding per CPT, DSM-5, and ICD-10 to optimize billing rate success.Ensure billing and coding for all current and new services are accurate, consistent, and maximize revenue opportunities. Evaluate, report on, and improve results after implementation of new services or payers.Collaborate with other departments to resolve coding and billing issues.
Provide training for clinical staff to support accurate billing / coding for clients.Monitor, respond to, and communicate changes in billing requirements, regulations, and reimbursement rates, and maintain provider enrollments with payers. Track and trend barriers to clean claim submission.Identify and communicate coding issues and trends to the Sr. Director of Finance and the Sr. Director of Clinical Services.Recommend areas for education and process improvement.Maintain established accuracy and productivity benchmarks including comparative benchmark reports for individuals.Identify non-compliant coding, documentation, and billing practices.
Summarize findings for leadership reports and presentations.Develop and maintain standardized orientation training for coding and documentation.Track training completion metrics and escalate unmet training needs.Create documentation tip-sheets for the organization in collaboration with other stakeholders.Track recurring deficiencies and recommend Carelogic template updates.Client and Internal Billing Support
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and HIPAA privacy and security regulations as well as with terms of payer contracts.Private Insurance contract initiation, renewal, and negotiation.Assist with the month end close in a timely manner.Monitor denial trends for compliance-related root causes to compile and report the findings on a regular basis.Provides regular reports and trend analysis to drive business strategies and objectives.Report and resolve payment and system issues with a strong sense of urgency, escalating if needed and putting processes into place to prevent similar future issues.Support initiatives to improve coding, documentation, and billing for optimal reimbursement and data capture.Continuous Process Improvement and Teamwork
Engages staff and other stakeholders in continuous improvement of systems and processes; manages resources for staff and vendor participation in improvement work activities.Ensures development of Revenue Cycle initiatives to improve client satisfaction and client centered care.Remains current of new trends and best practices and incorporates into Revenue Cycle practices and programs.Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements :
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and climb stairs. The employee frequently is required to walk, talk and / or hear; Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate effectively by phone or in person at normal volumes; Vision adequate to read correspondence, computer screen, forms, etc. The employee is occasionally required to stand and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this position include the ability to adjust focus.
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.
Qualifications :
Certified Professional Coder certificationCoding and billing experience working in a behavioral health or medical outpatient clinic in the State of Connecticut.A minimum of three (3) years experience in a behavioral health or medical setting and experience in revenue cycle management including healthcare billing, healthcare reimbursement, analytics, and process improvement.Demonstrated understanding quality integrity process and billing functions.Must demonstrate significant skill in attention to detail, organization, and establishing and maintaining processes and workflows.Competent user of technology including Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Practice Management System (PMS), experience with Meaningful Use standards preferred. Experience using Carelogic is preferred.Superior judgment, negotiation, and decision-making skills.Strong ethics and a high level of personal and professional integrity.Sound Community Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin / ancestry, physical / mental disabilities, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M / F / D / V