Sherry Garrett
Powder Springs
Summary
Dynamic coding professional specializing in medical billing and coding, with a focus on revenue cycle enhancement. Skilled in analyzing and correcting coding discrepancies to maximize reimbursement and ensure regulatory compliance. Committed to educating staff and improving coding accuracy through effective collaboration.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Practice Coding Specialist
Northside Hospital
Atlanta
07.2023 - Current
- Reviewed and analyzed medical coding to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Utilized coding software to assign appropriate codes for diagnoses and procedures.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of ICD-10 and CPT coding systems.
- Maintained current working knowledge of CPT and ICD-10 coding principles, government regulation, protocols and third-party billing requirements.
- Educated staff on coding updates and regulatory changes.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to clarify documentation requirements.
- Communicated with healthcare personnel, including practitioners to promote accuracy.
- Resolved discrepancies in coding through effective communication with teams.
- Investigated discrepancies between source documents and coded information to correct errors and enhance coding integrity.
- Analyzed patient charts and records to extract relevant coding information.
- Translated patient information into alphanumeric and numeric medical codes
- Added modifiers, coded narrative diagnoses, and verified diagnoses.
- Applied coding rules established by American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for assignment of procedural codes.
- Utilized Level 1 HCPCS and Level 2 HCPCS systems to complete coding tasks.
- Investigated rejected and denied claims, correcting applicable coding.
- Resolved coding discrepancies and denials to maximize reimbursement.
- Collaborated with departments to identify and implement improvements in coding processes.
- Submitted clean claims to insurance companies electronically to secure payments.
- Kept abreast of updates and changes in coding guidelines and reporting requirements.
- Entered patient insurance, demographic and health information into software and confirmed records.
- Entered patient insurance, demographic and health information into software and confirmed records.
Account Support Specialist
Northside Hospital
Atlanta
06.2017 - 06.2023
- Ensured accuracy of information in Greenway system to facilitate submission of 1500 forms to medical insurance companies.
- Captured providers' charges daily from the Greenway system.
- Managed patient accounts and resolved billing inquiries promptly.
- Collaborated with staff and patients to resolve reimbursement issues and account problems with Northside billing.
- Improve self-pay payments receipt by ensuring accurate demographics information is recorded for billing and collection purposes.
- Auditing and reporting of medical charges and payments daily.
- Reconciled insurance companies' claims processing with charge entry.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to verify insurance coverage and benefits.
- Processed patient admissions and ensured accurate data entry in systems.
- Assisted patients with financial assistance applications and payment plans.
- Communicated effectively with patients regarding account status and charges.
- Maintained confidentiality of patient information in accordance with regulations.
- Educated staff on account management procedures and best practices.
- Implement insurance collection practices to monitor maintenance of accounts receivables and aging accounts.
- Monitored denials management follow-up and appeal process to achieve timely resolutions of aged accounts.
- Develop problem-solving strategies utilized by team members to aid in resolution of account inaccuracies.
- Demonstrate self-awareness and self-analysis to improve own work performance.
- Established customer rapport to quickly mitigate problems while complying with established support processes and procedures.
- Provided exceptional customer service by responding promptly to phone calls and emails from customers.
- Established accounts for new customers and updated existing accounts with current demographic and order information.
- Received, prioritized and responded to multiple points of customer communication.
- Collaborated with other departments to resolve problems related to customer accounts.
- Maintained a database of customer contact information for communication purposes.
- Reviewed financial status and evaluated discrepancies by assessing account information and activities.
- Analyzed financial data to identify discrepancies in account balances and ensure accuracy of records.
- Managed dispute resolution process, ensuring issues were addressed promptly and to the client's satisfaction.
- Identified customer needs by asking questions and advising on best solutions.
Certified Patient Account Representative
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Atlanta
09.2014 - 06.2017
- Conversed with insurance companies to clarify claim processing details and secure payment information.
- Prepare and submit both electronic and paper claims to insurance companies for reimbursement or further investigation.
- Submit appeal letters on claim denials to insurance companies to result in overturn denials.
- Review and resolve claim issues captured in TES/claims edits and clearinghouse.
- Maintain current working knowledge of CPT and ICD-10 coding principles, government regulations, protocols, and third-party requirements regarding billing.
- Entered and reported patient demographics into system to facilitate accurate billing and collection.
- Updated patient financial information to ensure accuracy and support effective billing processes.
Billing and Certified Patient Account Representative
Pediatric Adolescent Surgical Associates, P.C.
Atlanta
02.2000 - 08.2014
- Establish payment plans for patients based on economic status.
- Receive payments and posted amounts paid to customer accounts.
- Notified customers of delinquent accounts via mail, telephone, or personal visits to facilitate timely payments.
- Addressed customer concerns regarding account issues and ensured resolution through effective communication.
- Connect with insurance companies for status of claims processing.
- Wrote appeal letters to insurance companies to contest claim denials and secure appropriate reimbursements.
- Research CPT and ICD-9 coding discrepancies for compliance and reimbursement accuracy.
- Sustained a current working knowledge of CPT and ICD-10 coding principles.
- Document patients' chart after receipt of proof of eligibility.
- Oversaw multi-line phone operations to facilitate patient appointments and resolve concerns.
Team Lead Certified Patient Account and Refund Representative
Wellstar Physicians Group
Marietta
09.1998 - 06.2008
- Audited credit balance accounts to ensure accurate refunds to insurance companies and guarantors.
- Recommend account resolution to customer questions regarding problems with accounts.
- Arranged debt repayment or established repayment plans tailored to customers' economic statuses to enhance account recovery.
- Notified customers of delinquent accounts through mail, telephone, or personal visits to facilitate payment collection.
- Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.
- Trace delinquent customers to new addresses by inquiring at post offices, telephone companies, credit bureaus, or through questioning of neighbors.
- Perform various administrative functions for designated accounts inclusive of purging records of deceased customers.
Team Lead Certified Patient Account Representative
NCO/Medaphis Corporation
Norcross
05.1997 - 09.1998
- Led a team of 10 members, providing guidance and support to achieve departmental goals.
- Assessed team members' performance to identify training needs and ensure compliance with account procedures.
- Conduct analysis of denied claims and made necessary corrections prior to resubmission.
- Reviewing EOB's for correct payments and patient liability.
- Reduced Accounts Receivables by posting payments received from patients and insurance companies.
- Representative of a hospital in the Pennsylvania area to collect balances on past due accounts from insurance companies, workers' compensation, third parties, and patients.
- Executed Human Resource duties for the hiring process of potential employees.
Senior Billing Coordinator
Vanstar Corporation
Roswell
11.1993 - 05.1997
- Led transition to new billing system, enhancing integration for improved operational efficiency.
- Ensured compliance across 150+ contracts to mitigate risks and maintain revenue integrity.
- Managed daily entry-level accounts receivable tasks to ensure financial accuracy.
- Ensure validity of closed service calls to prep for bill submission.
- Process credits and debits to ensure system balance at end of day.
- Perform follow up with Sales Representatives to ensure contracts were updated and/or renewed.
- Managed acquisition accounts and assigned responsibilities to team members.
- Complete management assigned special projects on a weekly basis.
Clerical and Receptionist
Talent Tree Temporary Agency
Atlanta
01.1993 - 11.1993
- Executed receptionist responsibilities, providing customer service and maintaining spreadsheets for efficient office management.
- Performed clerical receptionist duties at Coca-Cola Bottling Company, enabling effective communication and smooth office operations.
- Managed multi-line phone system and routed calls efficiently.
- Scheduled appointments and maintained calendar for office staff.
- Greeted visitors and directed them to appropriate personnel.
Certified Medical Assistant
ASI Temps & Medical Registrar
Boston
07.1992 - 01.1993
- Assisted physicians with patient examinations and medical procedures.
- Executed diverse medical assistant functions to enhance patient support and operational flow.
- Recorded patient histories and vital signs accurately in electronic systems.
- Prepared examination rooms and ensured all necessary supplies were available.
- Facilitated patient care continuity by filling Medical Assistant roles across healthcare facilities.
Education
BBA - Economics
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA05-2026
BBA - Finance
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA01-2026
Certified Professional Coder - Coding
AAPC
Atlanta, GA04-2023
Associate Degree - Business Administration: Accounting
Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Atlanta, GA08-2020
Certified Medical Assistant -
National Education Center
Boston, MA12-1991
High School Diploma -
ST. Gregory High School
Boston, MA05-1987
Skills
- ICD-10 billing expertise
- Medical claims coding
- Claim processing
- Problem resolution
- Healthcare claim coding
- HCPCS coding
- Procedural coding
- Medical terminology
- Error coding resolution
- Insurance verification
- Revenue cycle management
- Healthcare financial management
- Regulatory compliance
- Regulatory guidelines
- Medicare insurance regulations
- Patient data coding
- Patient data identification
- Insurance carrier knowledge
- Insurance and collections procedures
- Medical billing
- Customer service
- Medical terminology
- Team collaboration
- Workflow management
- Claim processing
- Anatomy
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Certified Patient Account Representative
- Ethical standards
- HIPAA compliance
- Regulatory guidelines
- Medicare insurance regulations
- Revenue cycle management
- Patient data coding
Certification
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Certified Patient Account Representative
Timeline
Practice Coding Specialist
Northside Hospital
07.2023 - Current
Account Support Specialist
Northside Hospital
06.2017 - 06.2023
Certified Patient Account Representative
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
09.2014 - 06.2017
Billing and Certified Patient Account Representative
Pediatric Adolescent Surgical Associates, P.C.
02.2000 - 08.2014
Team Lead Certified Patient Account and Refund Representative
Wellstar Physicians Group
09.1998 - 06.2008
Team Lead Certified Patient Account Representative
NCO/Medaphis Corporation
05.1997 - 09.1998
Senior Billing Coordinator
Vanstar Corporation
11.1993 - 05.1997
Clerical and Receptionist
Talent Tree Temporary Agency
01.1993 - 11.1993
Certified Medical Assistant
ASI Temps & Medical Registrar
07.1992 - 01.1993
BBA - Economics
Georgia State University
BBA - Finance
Georgia State University
Certified Professional Coder - Coding
AAPC
Associate Degree - Business Administration: Accounting
Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Certified Medical Assistant -
National Education Center
High School Diploma -
ST. Gregory High School