How to Be Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The population of aging adults is growing rapidly, resulting in an increased demand for geriatrics medical billing specialists. With this rise comes the need for specialists that can accurately handle the complex billing process associated with geriatric care, as well as navigate the often complex insurance and Medicare regulations. Furthermore, geriatrics medical billing specialists must have a deep understanding of different medical codes and the ability to properly apply them to patient records. Adequately trained specialists are essential to the successful management of geriatric billing and will help ensure that elderly patients receive the care they need.

Steps How to Become

1. Complete a High School Diploma or GED. Earning a high school diploma or GED is the first step to becoming a geriatrics medical billing specialist.
2. Enroll in an Accredited Medical Billing Program. After earning a high school diploma or GED, the next step to becoming a geriatrics medical billing specialist is to enroll in an accredited medical billing program.
3. Obtain Certification. Once you have completed an accredited medical billing program, you will need to obtain certification from The National Association of Medical Billers and Coders (NAMBC).
4. Obtain Experience. Once you have obtained certification, it is important to gain experience in geriatrics medical billing. This can be done through volunteer work or by taking on an entry-level job in a medical billing office.
5. Apply for a Position. After gaining experience, you can begin applying for positions in geriatrics medical billing. It is important to have a strong resume that emphasizes your experience and skills.
6. Maintain Certification. In order to remain certified as a geriatrics medical billing specialist, you must complete continuing education courses and renew your certification every two years.

As a Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist, it is important to stay updated and competent in order to remain successful in the industry. This requires a consistent effort to learn new technologies, coding practices, and payer regulations related to billing. It is also important to stay abreast of changes in the field of geriatrics and to understand the particular nuances of billing for the elderly population.

Staying current with best practices can help ensure accuracy in billing and increase reimbursement rates. having a thorough understanding of billing software and processes is key to efficiency and accuracy. Finally, staying organized and keeping detailed records is essential for timely and accurate payments.

Taking the time to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing landscape of medical billing will help maximize reimbursement and ensure that you remain competitive as a Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist.

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Job Description

1. Provide accurate and timely billing and coding services for geriatric patients.
2. Collect and analyze patient data to ensure accuracy of medical records.
3. Ensure accurate and timely submission of claims to insurance companies.
4. Monitor and track outstanding accounts receivable and follow up as needed.
5. Respond to inquiries from insurance companies and other payers.
6. Maintain a working knowledge of current medical coding and billing regulations.
7. Maintain an up-to-date billing system, including insurance codes, patient demographics, and other required data.
8. Reconcile accounts receivable and follow up on unpaid claims.
9. Prepare reports to track billing activity and compliance with regulations.
10. Provide support to the geriatric care team regarding billing inquiries and patient account issues.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid regulations
2. Understanding of medical billing terminology and coding
3. Ability to accurately enter and process payments
4. Familiarity with geriatric care and medical procedures
5. Proficiency with computers and medical software programs
6. Ability to review and analyze account information
7. Experience with accounts receivable and collection processes
8. Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
9. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
10. Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize deadlines

Being a geriatrics medical billing specialist requires a comprehensive set of skills to ensure that seniors are receiving the best possible care and that all billing processes are being handled accurately. One of the most important skills to have is the ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, and healthcare providers. This includes being able to explain complex medical billing processes in a way that is easy to understand and follow.

strong organizational and problem-solving skills are needed to be successful in this field. A geriatrics medical billing specialist must be able to manage multiple tasks at once, as well as identify and resolve any medical billing discrepancies quickly and efficiently. They must also have an understanding of the relevant regulations and policies for medical billing, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.

Lastly, having knowledge of computer systems and software related to medical billing is also essential. Having these skills can help geriatrics medical billing specialists provide quality care to their senior patients while also protecting them from any potential financial issues.

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Frequent Interview Questions

• What experience do you have in geriatric medical billing?
• How have you ensured accuracy when creating and submitting medical claims?
• What strategies have you developed for dealing with difficult insurance companies?
• How do you stay up to date with changes to coding and billing regulations?
• What techniques do you use to ensure timely payments from insurance companies?
• Describe your experience in communicating with doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel.
• How do you handle denials and appeals of medical claims?
• How do you handle complex billing disputes?
• How do you ensure that all medical services are properly coded and billed?
• What experience do you have using electronic medical record systems?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Practice Management Software. This software helps streamline the medical billing process, allowing for faster and more accurate billing. (eg: Kareo)
2. Medical Coding Software. This software helps medical professionals assign accurate codes to medical services, ensuring accurate billing. (eg: 3M Encoder)
3. Electronic Health Records (EHR) Software. This software helps physicians and other healthcare professionals manage patient records, allowing for easier access to information. (eg: AthenaHealth)
4. Claim Submission Software. This software allows providers to submit claims electronically to insurance companies and other payers. (eg: Change Healthcare)
5. Payment Posting Software. This software helps medical billers track payments and post them to patient accounts. (eg: Navicure)
6. Denial Management Software. This software helps medical billers identify and manage denials, allowing providers to recoup lost revenue. (eg: RelayHealth)
7. Analytics Software. This software helps medical billers track and analyze data in order to identify potential issues and areas of improvement. (eg: TruBridge)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. American Medical Association (AMA)
2. American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
3. American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
4. National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
5. National Association of Billing and Collection Specialists (NABCS)
6. National Council for Aging Care (NCAC)
7. American Association of Medical Billers and Coders (AAMBC)
8. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
9. American Academy of Home Care Medicine (AAHCM)
10. National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC)

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Common Important Terms

1. ICD-10. International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. It is the international standard for medical diagnosis and procedure coding that is used to assign billing codes for medical services.
2. CPT Code. Current Procedural Terminology code. It is a unique five-digit number used to identify medical services and procedures for billing purposes.
3. Medicare. A federal health insurance program that provides coverage for people who are 65 and older, or who have certain disabilities.
4. Medicaid. A federal and state health insurance program that provides coverage for people who are low-income, disabled, or elderly.
5. CMS. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is a federal agency responsible for administering Medicare and Medicaid programs.
6. EOB. Explanation of Benefits. It is a document sent to a patient after they receive healthcare services, detailing the services provided, the costs associated with them, and how much insurance will cover.
7. HCC. Hierarchical Condition Categories. It is a coding system used to assign risk scores to patients based on their diagnoses and medical history.
8. DRG. Diagnostic Related Group. It is a classification system used by hospitals to determine reimbursement rates for inpatient care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist?

A Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist is responsible for ensuring that medical bills are properly coded, submitted, and processed for elderly patients. They must be knowledgeable about coding procedures and reimbursement policies to ensure accurate billing for services rendered.

What duties might a Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist perform?

A Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist may be responsible for reviewing patient records, verifying insurance information, entering billing information into a computer system, submitting bills to insurance companies, handling appeals for denied claims, and resolving billing disputes.

What qualifications are necessary for a Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist?

A Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist should possess knowledge of elderly patient care and billing practices, as well as be familiar with medical terminology, coding systems (such as ICD-10 and CPT codes), and reimbursement policies. In addition, they should possess excellent communication and organizational skills.

What type of certification do Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialists need?

Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialists may need to obtain certifications in medical coding and billing, such as the Certified Professional Coder-Geriatrics (CPC-G) or Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P) certifications.

How much do Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialists typically earn?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialists was $35,500 in 2019. Wages can vary based on experience and location.

What are jobs related with Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist?

• Geriatric Care Facilitator
• Geriatric Psychiatrist
• Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician
• Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager
• Geriatrics Clinical Research Coordinator
• Geriatric Psychologist
• Geriatrics Medical Assistant
• Geriatrics Nursing Home Activity Coordinator
• Geriatric Pharmacist
• Geriatric Rehabilitation Aide

Web Resources

• Geriatrics - University of Mississippi Medical Center www.umc.edu
• Geriatrics - Washington University Physicians physicians.wustl.edu
• Geriatric Medicine Division: Internal Medicine - UT Southwestern www.utsouthwestern.edu