Tricia Helfert
Tennyson,IN
Summary
Efficient billing professional 30+ years of experience in coding, credentialing and medical billing. Productive and diligent with passion for resolving discrepancies through attention to detail and creative problem-solving. Passionate about perpetuating company values through impeccable work ethic and drive.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Billing and Collections Specialist
Tri State Orthopaedics
Evansville, IN
09.2016 - 01.2023
- Compiled and tracked outstanding balances owed to medical facilities.
- Processed billing calls and answered questions from patients and third-party carriers.
- Corrected, completed and processed claims for multiple payer codes.
- Assisted in reconciling deposit and patient collections.
- Handled account payments and provided information regarding outstanding balances.
- Responded to customer concerns and questions on daily basis.
- Monitored outstanding invoices and performed collections duties.
- Processed payment via telephone and in person with focus on accuracy and efficiency.
- Utilized various software programs to process customer payments.
- Collaborated with customers to resolve disputes.
- Maintained accurate records of customer payments.
- Verified patient insurance and benefits for office visits, MRI's and surgeries.
- Give surgery codes to patients when requested for an estimate of service prices.
Medical Office Assistant
St Vincent Medical Group Lynnville
Lynnville, IN
08.2014 - 09.2016
- Adhered to strict HIPAA guidelines to protect patient privacy.
- Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
- Provided prompt, polite and professional in-person and telephone customer service.
- Scheduled appointments and testing at local hospital's and imaging centers.
- All coding, charge entry and billing for this location.
- Assisted in clinical setting when needed.
- Updated patient information and insurance details for accurate electronic medical records.
- Coordinated patient scheduling, check-in, check-out and payments for billing..
- Registered patients and completed associated paperwork for accurate records.
- Gathered forms and copied insurance cards to collect patient information for billing and insurance filing.
- Obtained pre-authorization from insurance companies ahead of medical services.
- Received, recorded and filed medical payments by check, cash, and credit card.
- Reconciled daily payments received and prepared deposits for smooth office finances.
- Performed various administrative tasks by filing, copying and faxing documents.
- Scheduled patient appointments in respective doctors' calendars and followed up with reminder phone calls.
- Managed office logistics by scheduling appointments, maintaining files and collecting payments.
- Obtained payments from patients and scanned identification and insurance cards.
- Completed administrative patient intakes with case histories, insurance information and mandated forms.
- Prepared and processed patient referrals and transfer requests.
- Organized and maintained patient chart filing system to promote quick data finding for staff.
- Coordinated referrals through insurance and other medical specialists and documented details in patient charts.
- Assisted with medical coding and billing tasks.
- Frequently double-checked patient histories and current information while scheduling follow-ups and other appointments.
Billing Manager
Advanced Pain Care Clinic
Evansville, IN
05.2010 - 05.2016
- Reviewed billing problems, researched issues, and resolved concerns.
- Trained and mentored staff on procedures, compliance requirements, and collections techniques.
- Worked with customers to develop payment plans and bring accounts current.
- Evaluated and negotiated contracts to procure favorable financial terms.
- Performed all coding for office visits, in office procedures and hospital based surgical procedures.
- Input all billing charges and payment posting.
- Credentialing all physicians with insurances and hospital's and surgery centers.
- In charge of making sure all physicians were current on all licenses and certifications.
Medical Coder
Dataco
Evansville, IN
10.2003 - 05.2010
- Responsible for all coding and charge entry for this busy anesthesiologist group. Coding done for 3 hospital's and 2 surgery centers.
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals, and on-line encoders.
- Monitored changes in coding regulations to provide recommendations for compliance.
- Performed on-site coding audits to determine accuracy and compliance with coding guidelines.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
Ivy Tech
Evansville, IN05.1994
Skills
- Medical Coding
- Medical Billing and Collections
- Data Communications
- Computational Abilities
- Cash Receipt Posting
- HIPAA Compliance
- Organization and Prioritization
- Reconciling Accounts
- Reviewing Patient Information
- Customer Satisfaction
- Customer Experience
- Process Payments
- Administration and Management
- Manual Processing
- Billing Statement Management
- Review Documents
- Organizational Skills
- Billing Data Verification
- A/P and A/R Expertise
- AR Aging Reports
- Updating Customer Accounts
- Fair Debt Collections Practices
- Denial Appeals Process
- Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
Timeline
Medical Billing and Collections Specialist
Tri State Orthopaedics
09.2016 - 01.2023
Medical Office Assistant
St Vincent Medical Group Lynnville
08.2014 - 09.2016
Billing Manager
Advanced Pain Care Clinic
05.2010 - 05.2016
Medical Coder
Dataco
10.2003 - 05.2010
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
Ivy Tech