KAREN MICHELE PRICE
Gilbert,SC
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented professional with extensive experience in managing large dental service organizations, focusing on non-clinical aspects to enhance patient care, quality, cost efficiency, and delivery performance. Expertise in navigating insurance policies, laws, and regulations, with a proven ability to analyze account issues and make informed decisions on claims processing. Exceptional skills in coordinating billing operations and utilizing financial software to streamline workflows while ensuring timely payments and accurate record-keeping. Proactive problem-solver with a strong work ethic, adept at fostering robust client relationships and thriving in both independent and collaborative environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Billing Coordinator
Midlands Endodontics
Lexington, SC
06.2024 - Current
- Conducted thorough reviews and reconciliations of patient billing statements, guaranteeing precision and prompt payment collection.
- Facilitated timely insurance claims submissions and engaged with outstanding accounts to ensure prompt resolution.
- Streamlined interactions between patients and insurance providers to enhance clarity on billing issues.
- Optimized tracking methods for unpaid claims, resulting in increased overall collection efficiency.
- Managed insurance claims submissions, following up on outstanding accounts to expedite resolution.
Operations Manager
Pacific Dental Services
Lexington, SC
02.2022 - 06.2024
- Manage daily office operations of a high-traffic dental office with 11 staff and 5 providers, including Dentists, Hygienists, and other clinical personnel. Responsibilities include but are not limited to scheduling patient appointments, filing patient records, and handling insurance payments for multiple providers.
- Supervise and motivate staff to achieve production goals while providing excellent customer service and high patient satisfaction.
- Oversee the entire hiring process, from application reviews and interviewing to candidate selection, hiring, onboarding, and mentoring.
- Manage the weekly, monthly, and quarterly purchases of dental supplies, equipment, and medications, ensuring cost-effectiveness, meeting financial needs, and ensuring a properly maintained facility.
- Offer financial oversight that includes analyzing clinical activities and forecasting actual results versus approved budget; developing monthly/annual budget; overseeing P&L statements; handling daily deposits; and monitoring and controlling expenditures.
- Address and respond quickly to all patient complaints or concerns as a mediator. Ensure the smooth flow of patients within the practice.
- Streamlined operational processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement best practices and improve service delivery.
Billing Coordinator
Irmo Smiles
Columbia, SC
05.2019 - 02.2022
- Coordinated billing in a busy dental office, including patient checkout, insurance verification, appointment scheduling, answering billing questions, and collecting copays.
- Handled insurance claims, including filing, appealing denied claims, and running reports for aging claims to ensure faster reimbursement and reduce loss due to claim denials.
- Contacted insurance companies, obtained benefits, and worked out extensive budget agreements based on insurance coverage; entered charges and submitted insurance claims; and followed up on delinquent accounts.
- Prepared, reviewed, and transmitted claims using billing software for electronic and paper claim processing.
- Intricate research of patient accounts, collected payments, and posted payments to correct accounts to maintain on-time payment rates and reduce outstanding balances.
- Reviewed treatment plans, translated patient information, and turned it into alphanumeric medical codes.
- Assisted patients in resolving billing and insurance concerns to improve patient satisfaction.
- Monitored and updated appointment schedules in coordination with physicians.
- Processed and reconciled patient billing statements to ensure accuracy and timely payments.
- Coordinated communication between patients and insurance providers to clarify billing inquiries.
Dental Hygienist
Dr. Creig Dupuis
Columbia, SC
07.2010 - 05.2019
- Provided dental care to 8 patients daily, including performing dental periodontal and pathology assessments, taking history of medications and treatments, monitoring vitals, and offering expert guidance to help them improve their oral health.
- Evaluated patient health by performing oral cancer screenings and identifying instances where prophylactic antibiotic treatment was required to refer patients to specialists when questionable lesions were detected.
- Completed dental prophylaxis on patients with the use of hand and ultrasonic instruments.
- Exposed and developed diagnostic dental radiographs (FMX, BWS) using traditional radiographic technology. Read and interpreted radiographs with attention to detail.
- Administered fluoride treatments, completed periodontal charting, and maintained documentation of treatments and progress for effective patient care.
- Provided comprehensive dental cleanings, ensuring optimal patient comfort and satisfaction.
- Educated patients on oral hygiene practices to promote preventative care and health.
Education
Associate of Science - Health Sciences, Dental Hygiene
Midlands Technical College
Columbia, SC05-2010
Skills
- Dental Office Administrative/Management
- Policies/Procedures Development
- Decision-Making and Judgement
- Customer Service and Sales Growth
- Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution
- Interpersonal Communications
- Revenue cycle optimization
- Regulatory Compliance
- Financial Management
- Organizational Skills
- Billing and Adjustments
- Multiline Phone System
- Bookkeeping
- MS Office Suite
- Audit support
- Deadline oriented
- File management
- Data entry proficiency
Affiliations
- Member of American Dental Hygiene Association May 2008 – May 2010
- Member of Phi Theta Kappa May 2008 – May 2010
- Member of National Technical Honors Society May 2008 – May 2010
Certification
- Dental Hygiene License, South Carolina Board of Dentistry – Columbia, SC May 2010
- X-Ray Certified, Midlands Technical College – Columbia, SC May 2010
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Gail Lewis Agency/Nationwide Insurance – Lexington, SC Associate Insurance Agent, Office Manager Jul 2002 – Mar 2004
- Safe Federal Credit Union – Lexington, SC Senior Teller Jun 1995 – Jul 2002
Timeline
Billing Coordinator
Midlands Endodontics
06.2024 - Current
Operations Manager
Pacific Dental Services
02.2022 - 06.2024
Billing Coordinator
Irmo Smiles
05.2019 - 02.2022
Dental Hygienist
Dr. Creig Dupuis
07.2010 - 05.2019
Associate of Science - Health Sciences, Dental Hygiene
Midlands Technical College