Dental Coordinator

The Dental Coordinator works under supervision to function and demonstrate multi-tasking personalized dental services for our patients by answering phone calls, one on one patient interaction and communication with dental team. In this role, the coordinator is responsible for working with insurance companies to verify patients' benefits in conjunction with calculating pre-treatment estimates and collecting payments before services are rendered. The Dental Coordinator will explain benefits to patients, communicate insurance concerns and schedule appointments. This position requires a great eye for detail including strategic planning in accordance with Dentist and Dental Hygienist guidelines.

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

Assisting patients with office workflow check-in and check-out process by delivering quality and compassionate care to every patient.
Properly triage scheduling patient appointments and perform clerical duties such as providing necessary paperwork for patients to start dental care and appointments.
Answer telephone calls from patients and fellow CARTI team members with great customer service.
Promptly respond to e-mail inquiries regarding patient referrals or patient phone calls.
Obtain, verify, and update all demographics and insurance information on patients, including but not limited to, copays, deductibles, out of pocket expenses and precertification requirements.
Assist patients with financial arrangements for dental treatment.
Verify insurance benefits daily before the day of patient appointments.
Explain in detail insurance benefits to patients and determine the pre-treatment cost estimates, collect before services are rendered.
Serve as a liaison between insurance carriers, staff and patients.
Filing services rendered to medical and dental insurance companies.
Achieves revenue goals by effectively managing collections.
Issue receipts for patient account collections per policy.
Research insurance guidelines for dental or medical necessity coverage requirements.
Obtain precertification as required by insurance for office procedures.
Reconcile petty cash as policy requires.
Follow patient services daily deposit policies and procedures.
Train and educate oncoming team members, including dental assistants, on front office procedures.
Other responsibilities and projects assigned by management as needed.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS: May be required to travel to satellite clinic

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE and REGISTRATION:

High school graduate or GED.
Coding certification (CDT) preferred, but not required.
Certification of dental assisting, preferred but not required.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Minimum of three years dental office scheduling, treatment planning, insurance, and billing experience, required.
Minimum of three years customer service experience, preferred.
Excellent computer and other basic office equipment skills.
Knowledge of dental operations.
Knowledge of dental terminology, medical terminology, office procedures and insurance practices.
Knowledge of dental computer programs (EMR) and applications.
Ability to adapt and learn new methods to succeed in a dental practice.
Ability to work cooperatively as a member of the clinic's front-line service team.
Ability to read, understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, employees and the public.
Skilled in time management and organization.
Skilled in gathering, interpreting and reporting insurance information.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.
Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Colleagues are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

COMMENTS:
This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This position is a Safety Sensitive Position. The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the employee maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.