Bilingual Health Benefits Specialist I - Be Dental Clinic

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Primary Health Care (PHC) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Bery Engebretsen in Des Moines, IA. Our mission has remained unchanged since that time, to provide healthcare and supportive services to all, regardless of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay.

Based on the needs of the communities we serve, PHC offers a spectrum of medical and dental services including family practice, behavioral health, HIV care and services, and pharmacy. PHC’s Homeless Support Services is the entry point for serving people experiencing homelessness in Polk County. Enabling services are available to help patients with benefits enrollment, case management, transportation, translation, and patient education. We currently have locations in Ames, Des Moines, & Marshalltown.

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As a Health Benefits Specialist I (HBS I), you will work with patients to ensure they are registered for medical or dental insurance coverage that they are eligible for and that the correct payer is identified for each patient visit. You will support patients in applying for Medicaid or renewing Medicaid coverage, verify active private insurance coverage, and enroll patients for sliding fee services if applicable. You will provide excellent customer service in a medical or Dental Clinic while delivering benefits education, outreach, and in-person assistance to patients to obtain and maintain health coverage and other benefits. In this role, you will be part of our revenue cycle and partner closely with billing services to ensure reimbursement for medical and/or dental services provided.

Currently seeking candidates with Spanish language skills for this position. Candidates with dental experience are strongly preferred.

What's Great About this Position

• Utilize your Spanish language skills and work with closely patients to assist them in overcoming barriers to access healthcare.
• Enjoy work-life balance with a set schedule, working approximately 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM.
• Earn a generous PTO accrual, which will equal about 4 weeks by the end of your first year of employment, plus paid holidays.

What You Will Do

1. Ensures a consistent revenue cycle process in a medical or Dental Clinic by reviewing patient schedules to identify patients with upcoming appointments who need assessment for financial assistance, payer sources, other available benefits, or payment plans. Performs insurance verification prior to patient appointments to confirm active coverage for the visit.
2. Meets with patients as needed to help them apply for Medicaid or other insurance programs. Helps patients apply for the sliding fee program after confirming no other coverage is available. Acts as patient advocate throughout the application and enrollment process.
3. Maintains patient financial assistance files including electronic notes in registration/financial note files.
4. Reviews monthly laboratory and radiology billing to verify eligibility for PHC financial assistance program and communicates adjustments to appropriate vendors as needed. Collaborates with PHC’s billing department to complete necessary back-billing for applicable patients.
5. Conducts outreach and enrollment activities related to medical or dental care by assisting patients in completing the application process for appropriate benefits and programs, including annual Marketplace enrollment events. May provide assistance at various locations, including PHC clinics, community agencies, & in patients' homes.
6. Answers patients’ questions related to billing statements and collaborates with the billing department to support patients in resolving issues related to medical or dental bills.
7. Monitors payer mix for assigned clinic and works with Clinic Administrator to address unfavorable payer mix changes.
8. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications You Need to Bring

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One year in a healthcare environment or two years in a customer service role.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and listening skills.
• Effective English verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective Spanish verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Takes initiative and is dependable.
• Team oriented with ability to work collaboratively.
• Math & reading skills with ability to follow instructions in all forms and calculations.
• Basic computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office applications.
• Detail oriented with high degree of accuracy.
• Organization, prioritization and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals.
• Demonstrates professionalism with ability to maintain composure in all situations and show empathy.
• Licenses & Certifications: Presumptive Eligibility Certification required within 4 months of starting in the position and must be maintained throughout employment thereafter; Certified Application Counselor (CAC) certification is required within 12 months of starting in position and must be maintained throughout employment thereafter.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• Medicare SHIIP Counselor Certification
• Community Health Center experience
• Ability to effectively use patient registration systems and electronic health records
• Ability to use multiline telephone system
• Knowledge of clinical terminology
• Knowledge of health insurance

We Take Care of Our People

Your experience and skills determine your base pay. The hiring range for this position is typically $15.50 - 19.38. Candidates with extensive related experience may earn additional compensation up to the pay grade maximum of $23.25 per hour. PHC also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous PTO accrual (equal to 4 weeks at end of 1st year) plus paid holidays

• License/certification fee reimbursement

• Paid time off for continuing education & continuing education reimbursement

• Tuition reimbursement program

• 401k with company match

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Life & disability insurance

• Flexible spending & health savings accounts

• Supplemental accident & critical illness insurance

• Discounts on pet insurance

Visit https://phciowa.org/careers for a summary of PHC’s benefits.

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