Stephanie Montgomery

• Performed prior authorization review of services requiring notification.
• Evaluated medical guidelines and benefit coverage to determine appropriateness of services.
• Obtained authorizations from multiple insurance carriers for various levels of care.
• Submitted cases for criteria failures and helped facilitate resolutions and approvals.
• Performed admission reviews based for medical necessity based upon psychiatric specification.
• Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
• Discussed medical histories with patients in effort to provide most effective medical advice.
• Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
• Submitted all discharge plans and paperwork to insurance companies on a timely basis.

• Managed invoicing and payment processing operations.
• Verified accuracy of billing data and corrected discrepancies.
• Entered and maintained billing information in company internal databases for accessibility.
• Handled account payments and provided information regarding outstanding balances.
• Executed record filing system to improve document organization and management.
• Created and maintained databases to track and record customer data.
• Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
• Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.

Business Office Director for Financial Counselors and Collection staff. Oversee day to day operations of the revenue cycle. Manage aging revenue as well as create and implement strategies to maximize collections.

• Completed an underpayment project in 60 days with Managed Medicaid companies such as Caresource, Molina and United Healthcare which resulted in collecting $600,000 in outstanding revenue.
• Compiled and reported on Aging Revenue statistics, productivity goals and outcomes as well as overall collections efforts via a weekly meeting with the department, the CFO and corporate representatives.
• Hired, trained and motivated well-qualified staff.
• Oversaw financial operations for all accounts receivable.
• Identified accounts eligible for charity, financial assistance, and refunds prior to or during claim adjudication.
• Built and maintained professional relationships with multiple joint venture partners within the community. Negotiated fair reimbursement rates and ensured timely processing of claims for services rendered.
• Reviewed all aging revenue on a monthly basis by analyzing accounts aged greater than 180 days, identifying write-offs and reducing bad debt thus ensuring accruals were properly stated for month end reporting.
• Developed and implemented improvements to billing system to maximize efficiency, reduce delinquency and increase accuracy.
• Continually improved knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback and self-identified professional developmental needs.
• Routinely collaborated with department managers to identify training needs and streamline processes.

Business Office Director for Financial Counselors and Collection staff. Oversee day to day operations of the revenue cycle. Manage aging revenue as well as create and implement strategies to maximize collections. 

• Communicated with insurance providers to resolve payment and coverage issues.
• Hired, trained and motivated well-qualified staff.
• Oversaw financial operations for all accounts receivable.
• Developed and implemented improvements to billing system to maximize efficiency, reduce delinquency and increase accuracy.
• Continually improved knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback and self-identified professional developmental needs.
• Reviewed all aging revenue on a monthly basis to ensure accruals were properly recorded for month end close. 
• Routinely collaborated with department managers to correct problems and improve services.
• Negotiated SCA's during implentation phase prior to insurance contracts being finalized. 

Financial counselor to new and potential patients. Objective is to discuss insurance coverage as well as estimated financial responsibility and collect said estimate at time of admission. Trained multiple employees in different positions as well as assisted in the training and opening of Springstone's hospital Highland Springs; traveled and aided in financial procedures at Springstone's hospital Beckett Springs. Assist current manager regularly with Business Office Manager duties in her absence. 

• Verify and compile insurance benefits for all patients
• Ensure collection of patient deductibles, copays, coinsurance and deposits
• Ensure the collection of accurate and complete admission information and completion of required forms for all patients 
• Gather and evaluate confidential patient financial data to determine patient qualification for financial assistance and/or patient financial responsibility
• Facilitate co-guarantors on necessary accounts and ensure proper documentation is acquired
• Facilitate resolution of billing questions/billing issues when appropriate
• Establish payment arrangements for patients and evaluate past account history
• Data entry into UpFront Collections Log; maintain complete and accurate information as well as adjusting and correcting log for month-end review
• Properly execute Business Office Manager duties when away for extended duration including, but not limited to: billing patient accounts, reconciling patient census report, answering and rectifying billing issues, documenting and reporting all daily collections to corporate office, reviewing and analyzing patient financial disclosures to prepare financial discounts for eligible patients
• Complete monthly chart audits to ensure charts meet all applicable regulations and standards

Welcomed visitors by greeting them, in person or on the telephone; answering or referring inquiries. Directed visitors, staff and Direct Admissions and ensured a positive and friendly first impression while maintaining and meeting safety and privacy guidelines.

• Answered phones, directed them to appropriate department
• Greeted patients/visitors in a friendly and professional manner; provided excellent customer service and assistance
• Screened patient phone calls and monitor approved list of visitors
• Relayed pertinent information to family members about visitation, hospital policies, treatment plans, therapist duties, insurance information, assessment procedures, etc.
• Assisted on business projects – prepare/collate materials, scan documents for business office
• Completed Assessment Transcript throughout the week
• Assisted patients with Release of Information forms
• Created labels for all training meetings, create New Hire packets
• Administered assessment paperwork to new patients and direct admits