Billing Officer

Job Description

Job Purpose

The billing officer is primarily responsible for managing the hospital's billing procedures, including patient accounts, insurance claims, and compliance with regulations. The role holder will be responsible for providing timely and efficient billing service to patients and achieve 100% accurate revenue for the Centre.

Core Responsibilities

Billing Operations:

• Generate and review invoices for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with service agreements.
• Verify billing data against service records to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Process adjustments, credits, and refunds as needed.
• Ensure timely dispatch of invoices to patients, insurance companies, or other stakeholders.

Payment Collection and Reconciliation:

• Monitor and track payments to ensure all outstanding amounts are collected within specified timelines.
• Reconcile payments received with billing records to maintain accurate financial reporting.
• Communicate with patients or payers regarding outstanding balances and payment plans.
• Resolve payment discrepancies or disputes in a timely manner.

Compliance and Regulatory Adherence:

• Ensure billing processes comply with organizational policies, government regulations, and healthcare standards.
• Stay updated on changes in billing codes, insurance requirements, and industry regulations.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors during billing audits.
• Address any compliance-related issues in billing procedures promptly.

Customer and Shareholder Engagement

• Act as the primary point of contact for billing inquiries from patients, insurance companies, and internal departments.
• Provide detailed explanations of billing charges and resolve disputes professionally.
• Collaborate with the clinical and administrative teams to ensure accurate documentation for billing purposes.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders to enhance service satisfaction.

Process Optimization:

• Analyze current billing processes and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement technology solutions to enhance billing efficiency and accuracy.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for billing functions.
• Monitor key billing metrics and develop strategies to address inefficiencies.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare regular reports on billing performance, including outstanding balances, payment collections, and aging reports.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of all billing transactions.
• Track and report on key metrics to identify trends and inform decision-making.
• Assist in the preparation of financial statements by providing relevant billing data.

Risk Management

• Identify potential risks in billing operations, such as fraudulent claims or incorrect charges.
• Develop and implement controls to minimize billing errors and revenue losses.
• Monitor and address any issues related to denied claims or late payments.
• Ensure proper documentation is maintained to mitigate risks of disputes or legal challenges.

Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• MBA or MSc in Finance, Healthcare Management, or a related field is an added advantage.

Professional Requirements

• Relevant accounting certification (e.g ACA, ACCA) is an added advantage.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 1 - 4 years of experience in billing, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Familiarity with medical billing codes, insurance processes, and healthcare revenue cycle management.
• Experience with billing software and ERP systems.

Competency Requirements

Knowledge Requirements

• In-depth knowledge of billing and coding processes in the healthcare sector.
• Familiarity with healthcare regulations, including HIPAA and insurance policies.
• Understanding of revenue cycle management and payment reconciliation.
• Awareness of best practices in billing process optimization.

Skills Requirements

• Proficiency in billing software and financial management systems.
• Strong understanding of medical billing codes (e.g., ICD-10, CPT) and insurance processes.
• Knowledge of financial reporting and reconciliation.
• Advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting

Personal Abilities

• Professional attitude towards work
• Shares the AMCE’s vision.
• Proactive and organized.
• Has personal and professional credibility and commands the respect of colleagues and peers. 
• Supportive and approachable.
• Ability to adapt accordingly.
• High levels of honesty and integrity

Additional Information

African Medical Centre of Excellence, Abuja (AMCE Abuja) aims to be an Employer of Choice, providing equal opportunity for everyone regardless of their background, gender, race and other protected characteristics.