Tonia Cotton
Collinsville,IL
Summary
Dedicated Intake Specialist with expertise in claim eligibility analysis and records management, complemented by excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Strong understanding of industry standards and requirements ensures operational efficiency while managing duties to facilitate a smooth workflow. Committed to providing support and guidance to individuals in need, with a proven ability to connect with diverse populations. Organized and dependable, adept at handling multiple priorities with a positive attitude and a willingness to embrace additional responsibilities to achieve team goals. Social services professional with comprehensive experience in client support, administrative coordination, and care planning. Proven ability to collaborate with teams and adapt to changing client needs. Reliable in fostering supportive environment and skilled in managing case documentation and client communications.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Worker Assistant
Caseyville Nursing & Rehab
10.2025 - Current
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Managed residential discharges for facility and coordinated after-care activities.
- Explained medical care options to help families make informed healthcare decisions.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using data analysis techniques, identifying areas for improvement or expansion based on results.
Crisis Intake Specialist
Hoyleton Youth & Family Services
03.2023 - 10.2024
- Answered phone calls and provided new clients with required paperwork to initiate service.
- Completed intake assessment forms and filed clients' charts.
- Collected, verified, recorded and processed client demographics, insurance payments, and referral information.
- Maintained accurate, up-to-date client records for reliable reference and communications.
- Organized paperwork such as charts and reports for office and patient needs.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between different departments by effectively communicating relevant client information at each stage of their journey within the organization.
- Educated clients about available resources within the organization, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their care options.
Case Manager/Compliance Specialist
T.A.K.E
04.2022 - 11.2022
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
- Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
- Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
- Developed comprehensive discharge plans to transition clients to appropriate service providers in community.
- Facilitated individual and group sessions to promote positive behavior change for clients.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
- Utilized trauma-informed approach to promote healing and empowerment for clients.
- Participated in community events to promote services and engage with public.
Billing Specialist
Beacon Hill Staffing Group LLC.
11.2020 - 04.2022
- Researched and resolved billing discrepancies to enable accurate billing.
- Monitored customer accounts to identify and rectify billing issues.
- Worked effectively with medical payers such as Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurances to obtain timely and accurate payments.
- Worked with multiple departments to check proper billing information.
- Identified, researched, and resolved billing variances to maintain system accuracy and currency.
- Prepared and submitted monthly billing reports to management for financial overview.
- Audited and corrected billing and posting documents for accuracy.
Medicare Billing Specialist
UHC
06.2014 - 10.2018
- Posted payments and collections on regular basis.
- Accurately entered patient demographic and billing information in billing system to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Communicated with insurance providers to resolve denied claims and resubmitted.
- Liaised between patients, insurance companies, and billing office.
- Reviewed patient records, identified medical codes, and created invoices for billing purposes.
- Collected payments and applied to patient accounts.
- Reviewed patient diagnosis codes to verify accuracy and completeness.
- Adhered to established standards to safeguard patients' health information.
- Generated reports and analyzed trends to maximize reimbursement and reduce claim denials.
- Verified insurance of patients to determine eligibility.
- Audited and corrected billing and posting documents for accuracy.
Education
High School Diploma -
Venice High School
Venice, IL06.1997
Associate of Arts - Health And Human Service
Ultimate Medical Academy
Clearwater, FL05-2026
Skills
- Records Management
- Microsoft Outlook
- Compassionate Communication
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Crisis Intervention
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Safety and Risk Assessments
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Communication
- Substance abuse awareness
- Multicultural competence
- Professional boundaries
- Client advocacy
Timeline
Social Worker Assistant
Caseyville Nursing & Rehab
10.2025 - Current
Crisis Intake Specialist
Hoyleton Youth & Family Services
03.2023 - 10.2024
Case Manager/Compliance Specialist
T.A.K.E
04.2022 - 11.2022
Billing Specialist
Beacon Hill Staffing Group LLC.
11.2020 - 04.2022
Medicare Billing Specialist
UHC
06.2014 - 10.2018
High School Diploma -
Venice High School
Associate of Arts - Health And Human Service
Ultimate Medical Academy