County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, plans, organizes, directs and supervises the activities in record maintenance, billing and initial collecting of accounts for services rendered through Fairmont Hospital or Mental Health facilities of the Health Care Services Agency; and to do other related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

One position is located at Fairmont Hospital and is responsible for the maintenance of third party, inpatient/outpatient billing and preliminary collection functions. The position located at Mental Health is responsible for Mental Health outpatient billing and initial collections, data entry and statistical control and benefit eligibility determinations. Both positions design and maintain a billing system.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans, organizes and directs the record maintenance, billing and initial collecting of accounts for services rendered through facilities of the Health Care Services Agency.

2. Supervises directly and indirectly the day-to-day operation of the inpatient/outpatient billing unit or outpatient billing unit and data control services; selects, trains and evaluates subordinates; prepares annual section budget; monitors costs and the hospital charitable allowance program.

3. May plan, organize and direct the activities of Patient Services Technicians for patient eligibility work performed at Mental Health Services sites and selected contract facilities; act as liaison with Napa State Hospital regarding patient eligibility.

4. Confers with administrative and data processing personnel in designing and initiating new programs and revising manual and automated patient accounting and billing procedures; instructs subordinates regarding changes in charging/billing procedures; assigns collection of delinquent balances.

5. Interprets federal and state regulations, writes and implements operating procedures; gathers and analyzes data and statistics; does special projects as required.

6. Prepares a variety of reports, documents and charts; designs and develops forms, records and filing systems necessary for the clerical aspect involved in billing procedures.

7. Coordinates billing activities with state and federal third party payers to assure proper billing techniques and to maximize County reimbursement; acts as liaison between billing, physicians and other hospital departments; resolves difficult billing problems and patient billing complaints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of three years’ administrative experience in accounting, billing, credit or collection work, preferably in a health care field, one year of which included supervisory responsibilities of at least six subordinates.

Or II

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, business administration, public administration, economics or other related area, and the equivalent of one year of experience, preferably in a health care setting, supervising at least six subordinates performing billing, credit or collection functions.

Additional education may not be substituted for supervisory experience.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and methods used in billing operations.
• Billing procedures for program requirements.
• Basic uses of data processing.
• Principles of public administration and personnel management.
• Office organization, principles of employee supervision and training.
• Laws and regulations impacting County fiscal and billing operations.

Abilities:

• Planning, organizing, and directing a complex County billing operation.
• Understanding legal and administrative concepts.
• Analyzing data.
• Recommending and developing procedures.
• Organizing, supervising, training and evaluating the work of subordinates.
• Preparing clear, comprehensive complex reports.
• Speaking effectively.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

JG-S:lfm
11/4/81
Revised/Retyped: 8/83
Lm-h
Old document: 0017h
New document: Jobspecs/0153
ys/5/01
CSC Date: 11/9/81

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.