Claims Specialist I

Duties may include the following responsibilities or functions required to support the claims unit. Accurate processing of claims edits, determining primacy for the Coordination of Benefits (COB), adjusting previously paid claims and initiating procedures to recover funds on overpaid claims. Accountable for complying with all laws and regulations that are associated with duties and responsibilities.

• This role does not manage people
• This role reports to this job: SUPERVISOR, CLAIMS OPERATIONS
• Necessary Contacts: In order to effectively fulfill this position, the Claims Specialist I must be in contact with personnel in other Units: Various internal departments and staff including, but not limited to, Provider Services, Legal, Internal Audit, IT, other Benefits Operations Management and staff, Enrollment and Billing, Administrative Services, and District Offices. Various external entities including, but not limited to, Providers, Members, Lawyers, Groups, Commissioner of Insurance, other insurance companies, and other Plans.

• High School Diploma or equivalent required

• 6 months of experience in medical claims or health insurance-related customer service or the successful completion of BCBSLA adjustment or COB training

• Strong analytical ability, oral and written communication skills and human relations skills are necessary.
• Working knowledge of relevant PC software.

• Certification in Medical Billing or Coding can be used in lieu of experience

• Reviews, researches, and makes necessary updates to claims that may include the following: recalculation of benefits to previously processed claims, the processing of claims edits, or initiation of refund requests, according to contractual benefits or provider reimbursement rules, ultimately providing a high degree of customer satisfaction.
• Achieves and maintains a clear understanding of all systems, applications, and procedures necessary to identify denial codes, edits, and processing codes pertaining to all claims (including our coordination with additional coverage plans) in order to process both coordinated and non-coordinated claims correctly. Requesting of medical records may be required.
• Communicates, both orally and in writing, with internal and external contacts in order to provide necessary and accurate information for the establishment of sound claim records. This may include, but is not limited to, the coordination of benefits (COB), medical record requests, etc.
• Review quality audits for correction or routing within 48 hours of receipt following departmental and corporate guidelines to ensure accuracy of claims processing and customer satisfaction.
• Researches, investigates, and determines the correct order of benefits for payment to be made by the applicable plans and makes necessary corrections to COB records. Communicates to appropriate department(s) when Medicare has determined primacy incorrectly and ensures a letter is generated to notify Medicare. Failure to report discrepancy could result in a daily fine up to $1,000.00.
• Steps in and assists in any other capacity as deemed necessary (i.e., training, implementations, and documentation).

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, within your scope of responsibilities.
• Job duties are performed in a normal and clean office environment with normal noise levels.
• Work is predominately done while standing or sitting.
• The ability to comprehend, document, calculate, visualize, and analyze are required.