Ambulance Billing Technician I/II/Senior

Ambulance Billing Tech I:   $19.04/hr - $23.15/hr

Ambulance Billing Tech II:  $21.04/hr -$25.58/hr

Senior Ambulance Billing Tech:  $23.25/hr - $28.26/hr

Ambulance Billing Technician I/II
Under direct or general supervision, performs medical record processing activities including reviewing reports,  bills and processes claims for reimbursement, requests medical records as needed, processes electronic claims, processes billing denials/rejections, performs general clerical duties, assists Senior Ambulance Billing Technician with administrative tasks; and performs related duties as assigned.
 
Senior Ambulance Billing Technician
Under general supervision, performs the most complex medical record and billing processing activities, including billing denials/appeals, responding to customer grievances, ;; performing collection activities, processing  refunds; ; assisting  the supervisor with administrative tasks  including budget preparation, cost reports, and audits; and performs related duties as assigned. 
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
 
Ambulance Billing Technician I/II
Receives direct or general supervision from the Senior Accountant.  Exercises no supervision of staff. 
 
Senior Ambulance Billing Technician
Receives general supervision from the Senior Accountant. Exercises no supervision of staff.   Provides technical and functional direction to lower-level staff. 
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
 
Ambulance Billing Technician I:  This is the entry-level classification in this series.   Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform a variety of duties in routine billing coding, and performing related technical work.  As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult and close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skills to perform the work independently.   Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required at the II level position but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. 
 
Ambulance Billing Technician II:  This is the fully competent-level classification in this series, capable of performing the full range of duties independently.  Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the  Senior Ambulance Billing Technician  in that the latter is a lead level classification, performing the most complex work assigned including billing and processing claims appropriately for timeliness in reimbursement, and ensuring billing compliance with Medi-Cal and Medicare regulations. 
 
Senior Ambulance Billing Technician: This is the advanced, lead level classification in the Ambulance Billing Technician series, capable of performing the full range of duties independently.  Positions in this class perform more difficult and responsible work and provide leadership to and review of the work of the Ambulance Billing Technicians.  This class is distinguished from the Ambulance Billing Technician II in that positions in this class handle the most complex assignments including responsibilities for the medical reimbursement programs.
 
Positions in the Ambulance Billing Technician class series are flexibly staffed and higher-level positions are normally filled by advancement from the lower-level depending on department need and after gaining the knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the qualifications, and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 
Ambulance Billing Technician I/II

• Follow all county policies and procedures related to HIPAA regulations, patient privacy, and protected health information.
• Review and ensure all claims are in compliance with federal, state, legal, and insurance guidelines, requesting addendums as needed.
• Receive and review Patient Care Reports (PCR), import data into Ambulance data base.
• Export data from software program and import data into billing program.
• Analyze and code EMS procedures and diagnosis using ICD-10 and HCPC codes.
• Verify patient payer sources for services and maintain payer information in the billing software.
• Enter all information into billing system in an accurate and timely manner.
• Prepare and submit electronic/paper claims within established cycle and month-end deadlines.
• Use work flows regularly to insure all pending/denied/underpaid claims are processed within designated time frames.
• Determine reason for denials/underpayments/overpayments, search for supporting documentation to support claim appeals/follow up by reviewing medical records, charts, and contacting other departments.
• Respond to patient/payer inquiries regarding claims.
• Audit claims, correct any erroneous billing, and refer for refunds as needed.
• Attend training seminars and conferences as requested.
• Establish a good rapport and professional working relationship with all departments & readily assist co-workers.
• Review PCRs for completeness.
• Enter demographic changes in Ambulance data base.
• Perform eligibility verifications on a variety of websites.
• Audit claims to ensure maximum reimbursement.
• Performs related work as required.
• Request medical records as needed for claims &/or appeals for denied claims.
• Answer phones & assist walk-in customers.
• Open mail & distribute accordingly.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

 
Senior Ambulance Billing Technician (in addition to the above)

• Reviews and evaluates claims to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Trains Billing staff in proper documentation procedure.
• Reviews claims that have credit balances to determine refunds and processes claims.
• Resolves payment/insurance issues and appeals claims to obtain maximum reimbursement.
• Balances monthly receivables and expenses in various databases.
• Processes credit card payments and posts to accounts.
• Posts payments received via mail and EFT deposit, interpreting EOB for accurate payment by payers, and balances to daily deposit.
• Schedules secondary payer billing, copying EOBs as needed to submit claims.
• Runs collection account report and reviews each account prior to sending to collections.
• Corresponds with medical providers/health insurance organizations, as needed.
• Maintains the integrity of the billing computer system by working closely with staff and vendor.
• Updates and maintains a variety of spreadsheets and reports.
• Assists Senior Accountant in budget preparation and audits.
• Assists Senior Accountant with preparation of cost reports and audits.
• Implements any changes in reimbursement from Medicare or Medi-Cal.
• Follows all county policies and procedures related to HIPAA regulations, patient privacy, and protected health information.
• Responds to inquiries regarding billing issues verbally or in writing.

Knowledge of:
 
Ambulance Billing Technician I:

• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Basic mathematics.
• Modern office practice, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• Establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Good organizational/communication skills. HIPAA regulations, patient privacy, and protected health information.
• Department policies and procedures.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public vendors, contractors, and County staff.

 
Ambulance Billing Technician II: (In addition to the above)

• Medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.
• Electronic billing systems.
• Techniques, systems, and methods for interpreting and coding medical claims.
• ICD-10 diagnosis codes.
• Principles of medical claims maintenance and disclosure.
• Medical reimbursement programs and complexity of payment systems.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of documentation requirements.

 
Senior Ambulance Billing Technician: (In addition to the above)

• Techniques, systems and methods for interpreting and coding and coding Medical claims including ICD-10, CPT, HCFA and related systems.
• HIPAA regulations, patient privacy, and protected health information.
• Principles of medical records, maintenance and disclosure.
• Medical reimbursement programs and complexity of payment systems.
• Current reimbursement systems and associated regulatory review practices.
• Basic principles of accounts receivable, including posting of payments and adjustments.
• Basic principles of electronic data processing.
• Basic principles of training and supervision.

 
Ability to: 
 
Ambulance Billing Technician I/II

• Understand medical health terminology, diagnostic descriptions and procedures.
• Maintain records and compile statistics.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computers for word and data processing records management.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Senior Ambulance Technician: (In addition to the above)

• Interpret medical records to assign codes and prepare claims.
• Prepare a variety of financial, accounting, and statistical reports.
• Make accurate mathematical, financial, and statistical calculations.
• Prepare reports and other written communications regarding medical records.
• Organize work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.

 
 
 
 
 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be

Ambulance Billing Technician I:
Six (6) months of work experience in medical transcription, or in the medical field,  or in electronic billing coding, or complex financial accounting and statistical reporting  and knowledge of Electronic Health Records and Billings systems.
 
Ambulance Billing Technician II:
Two (2) years of increasingly responsible work experience in medical transcription and Electronic Health Records and Billing systems, or two (2) years as an Ambulance Billing Technician I with Tuolumne County.
 
Senior Ambulance Billing Technician:
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible work experience in medical transcription and Electronic Health Records and Billings systems, or two (2) years as an Ambulance Billing Technician II with Tuolumne County.
 
Licenses and Certifications:

Ambulance Billing Technician I

• None.

Ambulance Billing Technician II/Senior 

• Certified Ambulance Coder certificate is desired.

Salary : $39,603 - $58,781