Associate Administrator, Patient Accounting - Patient Accounting - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Exempt) (Non-Union)

The Administrative Director for Patient Accounting has enterprise-wide responsibility centralized business office (CBO) for all facets of each accounts receivable (AR) collections and management. This includes each unique hospital within the CBO and their comprehensive workflow through to liquidation, dispute management, analysis and in-depth AR trending, follow-up tactics and techniques and on-going staff education. Each hospital may have its own core patient accounting system which requires deep knowledge of the individual trends ad specific needs but manage the AR through standard practices. Oversee all collections-related functions and outsourced vendors. Manage all enterprise contract management systems and related net downs. Monitor proper referral or authorization processes to maximize cash and limit disputed inventory. Oversee payor escalations to liquidate AR and reduce system aging. Effectively manage disputes and escalate disputes and legal referrals. Evaluate CBO for AR trends and contract improvements. Manage department in compliance with established policies and procedures. Oversee customer-focused collection self pay and balance after insurance and aiding patients with financial assistance application and approvals. Monitor credit balance reporting to ensure compliance with Variance Policy and State regulations. Review and approve refunds, write-offs and adjustments on accounts and ensure departmental and hospital(s) policies regarding approval levels. Continually data mine the CBO AR for payer issues, trends and escalate as necessary and in support of long-term strategy development for revenue cycle initiatives. Monitors staff performance with monthly management operating reports. Develop and manage to CBO budget requirements. Hire, continually monitor, train staff on collections practices and techniques to drive best-in-class collections and dispute results. Manage payer and legal relationships and results to liquidate AR within established standards. Continually monitor inventory by payer and deliver accountable results of cash collections, Net to 90 calculation and provide documentation for staff follow-up activities. Identify and implement improved workflow and procedures. Create and implement new procedures to respond to internal and external needs in a timely fashion. Demonstrate knowledge of and practices the hospital and department policies and operating procedures. This knowledge may include the use of specialized instrumentation, Quality Control requirements, and preventative maintenance, and the standards outlined in the hospital's Code of Conduct as well as regulatory or compliance policies applicable to job responsibilities. Monitor and ensure that issues with health plans are prioritized, communicated and resolved in a timely fashion. Project an image of professionalism, appearance and conduct. Self-motivated and proactive.

Essential Duties:

• Leadership • Oversees the development of Patient Accounting strategies, policies, and procedures to maintain and manage key performance indicators. • Provides strategic vision and direction to effectively manage industry shifts, regulatory changes, and rising cost pressures. • Relies on management staff to handle day-to-day operational needs. • Seeks ways to control costs without compromising the quality of services delivered. • Implements system-wide projects, as assigned, for realizing process improvement opportunities within Patient Accounting. • Coordinates and collaborates with key functions outside of Revenue Cycle to ensure strategic alignment with broader organizational goals and objectives. • Ensures that processes are consistently evaluated for alignment with the strategic vision set forth by leadership teams throughout the organization. • Works with peers to coordinate and oversee all patient accounting process transition points between patient financial service, onsite patient access services, medical facilities, and other areas. • Establishes strategic vision for prioritizing and organizing job roles and work distribution to align with leading practice trends in Patient Accounting functions. • Apprises Patient Accounting Services staff of state-specific regulations and legislation, as applicable. • Displays commitment to treating both internal and external constituents as clients and customers, maintaining a flexible customer service approach and orientation that emphasizes service satisfaction and quality. • Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in Revenue Cycle and Patient Accounting Services by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrate knowledge gained into current work practices. • Communicates shifts in healthcare trends, develops strategic mitigation plans and coordinates with other functional areas of the Revenue Cycle Department. • Manages department in compliance with established policies and procedures.
• People • Oversees and ensures effectiveness of strategic talent initiatives, building capabilities of current and future leaders. • Demonstrates leadership and commitment to staff and colleagues by accepting accountability for outcomes, sharing timely information, building effective relationships, and communicating clearly and directly. • Ensures adequate training is being provided to staff to educate on the following skills: current working knowledge of payer requirements; sufficient healthcare knowledge necessary to perform job requirements; knowledge of state, local and federal policy requirements for functions performed; and relevant knowledge of information technologies. • Collaborates with Human Resources to establish performance expectations and disciplinary action plans for subordinate staff. • Demonstrates leadership and commitment to staff and colleagues by accepting accountability for outcomes, sharing timely information, building effective relationships, and communicating clearly and directly. • Leads and coordinates ongoing staff evaluation, retention, training and management of policies and procedures and oversees hiring process within Patient Accounting roles and directly manages the hiring of patient accounting leadership roles • Manages and oversees staff performance through performance planning, coaching and performance appraisals. • Holds managers accountable for effective people management strategies. • Monitors staff performance with monthly management operating reports.
• Process • Manages, directs, oversees, and approves budget development for operational areas while monitoring financial performance and developing action plans in order to remediate variances. • Oversees the development and implementation of efficient and effective operational policies, processes, and performance monitoring across all functions of the Patient Accounting Services Department. • Oversees best practice to AR management; meet/exceed cash goals, aging goals for multi-campus revenue cycle operations. • Ensures Patient Accounting Services staff across all functions (Billing, collections, self-pay, credits, contract management, AR resolution, etc) comply with established policies, processes, and quality assurance programs. • Works with various Revenue Cycle stakeholders, state agencies, government agencies and third-party payers to ensure timely and appropriate resolution of accounts receivable. • Oversees and ensures two-way communication with Patient Accounting staff and Revenue Cycle and hospital leadership. • Partners with other operational areas and leaders within the health system to implement strategies designed to improve the effectiveness of collections and other Patient Accounting functions through increased automation and controls. • Oversees all business office administrative functions that contribute to the management of the AR and resolution of denials and the achievement of key performance measures which define revenue cycle performance. • Oversees and coordinates communication with Information Technology to ensure appropriate systems, enhancements, and tools are utilized to effectively manage day to day Patient Accounting operations. • Governs the Patient Accounting department according to statistics, variances and exceptions, creates and maintains a data-driven performance management culture. • Oversees evaluating purchases, contracts and services provided by external vendors to ensure best pricing and effective results (external vendors, reference tools, software tools, etc.), including ongoing vendor performance monitoring and issue resolution. • Maintains knowledge of The Joint Commission and state/federal regulations, laws and guidelines that impact the Patient Accounting. Develops effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal laws, and the program requirements of accreditation agencies and federal, state and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as necessary to ensure proper understanding. • Manage all enterprise contract management systems and related net downs. Monitor proper referral or authorization processes to maximize cash and limit disputed inventory. • Oversee payor escalations to liquidate AR and reduce system aging and effectively manage disputes and escalate disputes and legal referrals. • Evaluate CBO for AR trends and contract improvements • Oversee customer-focused collection self pay and balance after insurance and aiding patients with financial assistance application and approvals. • Monitor credit balance reporting to ensure compliance with Variance Policy and State regulations. • Review and approve refunds, write-offs and adjustments on accounts and ensure departmental and hospital(s) policies regarding approval levels. • Manage payer and legal relationships and results to liquidate AR within established standards. • Continually monitor inventory by payer and deliver accountable results of cash collections. • Creates and implements new procedures to respond to internal and external needs in a timely fashion.
• Performance Monitoring • Establishes Key Performance Indicators that the department will be expected to meet and exceed. • Establishes the performance improvement initiatives and coordinates accordingly with department leadership to implement appropriate action plans across the functions. • Drives accountability across Patient Accounting management and staff based on responsibilities outlined in the Service Level Agreement. • Measures and reports ongoing financial and operational performance of the Patient Accounting department. Recognizes areas of excellence and oversees the development and implementation of action plans within specific areas of Patient Accounting where performance is not meeting expectations. • Interprets and communicates key revenue cycle performance indicators; reports key findings to appropriate leadership. • Oversees the identification, resolution, and reporting of operational and financial issues that impact patient service revenue. • Continually data mine the CBO AR for payer issues, trends and escalate as necessary and in support of long-term strategy development for revenue cycle initiatives. • Develop and manage to CBO budget requirements. • Hire, continually monitor, train staff on collections practices and techniques to drive best-in-class collections and dispute results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Req Degree in Business or Hospital Administration

• Equivalent in years of services with the scope of AR management.

• Req Over 10 years Progressively responsible accounts receivable management and supervision.

• Req Must possess strong experience and knowledge of a CBO setup, workflow and outcomes.
• Req Advanced management knowledge to lead project teams within and across departments.
• Req Knowledge of Registration, Patient Accounting data processing, customer service, California collection law and all insurance billing regulation.
• Req Excellent workflow and analytical thinking skills.
• Req Ability to effectively manage complex issues simultaneously.
• Req Typing 35-45 wpm and 10-key adding machine and math concepts.
• Req Demonstrated proficiency in Word, Excel and Access.
• Req Effective verbal and written communication skills with all customers.
• Req Projects an image of professionalism, appearance and conducts.
• Req Self-motivated and proactive.

Preferred Qualifications:

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)

The annual base salary range for this position is $174,720.00 - $288,288.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.