Public Health Programs Billing Specialist - Limited Term

Family Health Services and Public Health, Policy and Planning are seeking an experienced Public Health Programs Billing Specialist to perform difficult, technical, complex billing functions along with data entry and business services support work. The successful incumbents will research and compliantly bill for services provided public health clinics using a third-party claim editing system according to various payer guidelines and regulations; manage and monitor a caseload of accounts; research and resolve billing questions with fiscal intermediaries, physicians, and others; enter, retrieve, and interpret data using a hospital billing system; prepare reports and maintain accurate records. The Public Health Programs Billing Specialist successfully bills and resolves clinics and physician claims while adhering to HIPAA and payer regulation. Lead direction of others is not a regular part of the job, although project or relief leadership may be required.

This position is unique in that it will report to the San Mateo Medical Center’s Patient Financial Services team, which provides billing support to public health programs such as California Children’s Services and Edison and Mobile Clinics which are organizationally located within the divisions of Family Health Services and Public Health, Policy and Planning, respectively. Ability to understand program requirements and workflows and translate billing requirements to program staff is key.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Proven experience with medical claims billing and follow-up, including two years of hospital and/or clinical billing and collections.

• Experience with Medicare, Medi-Cal, and Commercial insurance billing and follow-up guidelines.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and solid organization skills.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program staff, internal and external department staff, and respective payer representatives.

• Familiarity with various Patient Accounting/Billing Systems: EPIC, Invision/OAS, Data Systems Group Claims editing, and Colburn Hill follow-up system.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.

• The ability to resolve complex accounting.

• Ability to resolve patient concerns regarding their accounting.

• Knowledge of Governmental payer policies and regulations.

• Operate standard office equipment, personal computer, telephone equipment, fax machine, and scanner.

This position is a limited-term, full-time vacancy. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with 8-hour workdays scheduled between 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

NOTE: This is a limited term, at-will position. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan. The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

• Medical terminology as related to patient services support work.
• Policies and procedures related to patient services, office support and hospital or clinic business office activities.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Basic business data processing principles and the use of word processing or computing equipment.
• Proper form for typed materials.
• Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.

• Perform technical, specialized, complex or difficult patient services office support work.
• Organize, prioritize and coordinate work activities.
• Read, interpret and apply rules, policies and procedures.
• Organize, research and maintain patient and general office files.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Compose routine correspondence from brief instructions.
• Make arithmetic calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Operate standard office equipment, including a word processor, personal or on-line computer, and centralized telephone equipment.

• One year of journey level office support experience in a patient services setting.

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. 

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. 

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Debbie Kong (10232026) (Patient Services Specialist - E414)