TONIA THOMAS
Texarkana, TX
PHONE 360-***-**** EMAIL: **************@*****.***
Professional Affiliations:
AAHAM, HFMA, NAHAM
Extensive knowledge of HCFA 1500, UB 92, UB 04, ICD9-ICD10, CPT, HIPAA X12 4010-5010
EDI, Compliance and Auditing, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Access, Excel,
Outlook, Meditech (Magic, Client server, and 6.0), Premis, ePremis, RevRunner, QMS, PCIS,
HPF, PHS, Wa-med Web(ACS), AS400, Dairyland, PES, DDE, CPSI, HBO, HBOC(STAR),
Mysis, Cerner, Med Assets, Code Correct (Accuro), and EMTALA regulations. Excellent phone
and customer service skills. Extensive knowledge of Medicare Intermediaries (WPS,
Trailblazers, Novitas). Proficient knowledge of Washington, Idaho, Georgia, Oregon, Texas,
Arkansas, California (Medi-Cal) and Montana Medicaid. Extensive knowledge in CAH (method
I & II), RHC, OPPS/IPPS, Pediatric, Physician, Ambulance and Dialysis billing.
SUMMARY
I have worked in the health care field for 15+ years. I have specialized in the full gamete of
patient accounting operations; CDM Manager, set-up and review; and billing systems
implementations for hospitals, Physician Practice groups, Pediatric facility, ESRD and Specialty
facilities. In the role as the Interim Director, PFS Operations/Systems Analyst I am responsible
for the daily operations of billing, collections, cashiering, cash posting and customer service. I
am also the liaison to the IS services group for revenue cycle systems review and
implementations in order to bring systems into compliance.
EXPERIENCE:
Wadley Regional Medical Center, Texarkana, TX, 300 bed April 2012 to March 2013
Wadley Regional Medical Center, Hope, AR., 75 bed
Wadley Rural Health Care Clinic, Hope, AR.
Business Office Director
Responsible for the day to day activities of a hospital's business office including RHC,GERO
PSYCH, Surgery Center, ER, Medical Office Building, OB/GYN clinic, and Breast center.
Responsibilities include admitting and registration, patient billing and collection, third-party
payer relations, and preparation of insurance claims. Administer, create and implement policies
and procedures and ensures all office activities comply with hospital standards and government
regulations. Familiar with a variety of health care concepts, practices, and procedures. Lead 119
employees in the day to day operation. Education and training in federal, state and local
regulations to ensure compliant and accurate processes. AR reporting to administration and
corporate team members.
Delta County Memorial Hospital December 2010 through March 2012
Business Office Manager
Responsible for day to day operations of PFS, Central Scheduling and Admission in a 49 bed
facility. Oversaw 26 staff members. Managed systems implementation. Revised and updated
policy and procedure manuals. Streamlined PFS processes. Updated and streamlined admissions
processes. Worked with all departments in the hospital to create compliant and efficient
processes. Retrained and updated staff on all aspects of HIPAA, EMTALA, and CMS
regulations. Oversaw all cashier posting and processes. Reviewed and updated all CDM
processes. Oversaw and updated system analyst positions and process. Reorganized PFS
positions. Updated and implemented new electronic billing software. Implemented and trained
new Central Scheduling department.
Dell Perot Systems September 2008 to September 2010
Consultant
-Valley Medical Center, Renton WA (CDM Manager, Systems Analyst) September 2008-July
2009
-Northern Arizona Health Systems, Flag Staff, AZ (Refund Analyst) July 2009-November 2009
-West Georgia Health Systems, LaGrange GA (PFS Director, Systems Analyst) November
2009-May 2010
-Tufts Medical Center Boston, MA (PFS Director) May 2010-Septmeber 2010
Interim PFS Director/Business Systems Analyst-Part of RCO startup team. Traveled to various
healthcare facilities when a new contract was signed with Dell Perot systems, to review analyze
and update all policy and procedures. Retrained staff and oversee all new system
implementations.
PFS Director
Responsible for day to day operations of PFS in a 300+ bed OPPS/Teaching/Research
facility. Oversee 20 staff members. Manage systems implementation. Revise and update
policy and procedure manuals. Streamline PFS processes. Work with all departments in
the hospital to create compliant and efficient processes. Retrain and update staff on all
aspects of HIPAA, EMTALA, and CMS regulations. Work with Dialysis and SNF
departments to retrain and update billing practices. Oversee all cashier posting and
processes. Review and update all CDM processes. Oversee and update system analyst
positions and process.
System Analyst
Responsible for system implementation and update. Staff training and mapping of all
modules from HIM, ADM, CDM, MM to HIS systems to ensure HIPAA compliant
billing and correct claim billing processes. HIPAA X12 4010 EDI transactions (837/835,
270/271, 276/277) verification, testing and implementation.
CDM Manager
Review, audit and update CDM for 300+ bed facility. Update all changes and compliance
auditing. Review, audit and updating of physicians group CDM for accurate billing.
Coordinate with clinical staff to ensure compliance. Education of clinical staff for
compliant billing. Enter/Edit all new and existing charges. Set pricing for hospital based
on internal methodology and regional comparison. Set Pricing for physicians based on
RVU and Fee schedules. Compile reports for administration for various revenue cycle
audits and reviews.
Healthcare Resource Group November 2003 to July 2008
Consultant
Permanent Full-time positions going to various hospitals as interim staff and consulting for
billing medical insurance, insurance follow up, cash posting, collections, P&P's, A/R
management and staff training. To include the following:
*(Interim HRG) University California San Diego Dialysis Center, 2/08 to 5/08
Follow up and billing for all dialysis claims. Training of new PAR for ongoing f/u on
dialysis billing. Implemented policy and procedures for billing and follow up on all
dialysis claims.
*(Interim HRG) Bonner General Hospital Sandpoint, ID/08 to 4/08
CDM review and update. Dictionary update in Magic (Meditech)
*(Interim HRG) St John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby, MT 08/07 to 7/08
Interim Director of Patient Financial Services. Managed a staff of 14 including PAR s,
admission representatives, Prompt Care and Specialty physicians practice. Office policies
and procedure reviewed, updated, and implemented. Review and audit of patient account
processes. Retrained all staff on insurance billing and follow up processes. Created
financial counselor position and implemented P&P s for that position. Implemented,
reviewed, updated and trained clinical and fiscal staff on CDM P&P s. Implemented and
trained staff on new ABN program. Updated and corrected dictionaries in Meditech s
(Client Server). Implemented new EBS (ePremis) & trained staff. Reviewed and update
Charge master. Served on several committees including CDM, Corporate compliance,
denial management, patient satisfaction and Collections. Implemented P&P s for
physicians practice group owned by the hospital. Trained clinical staff on ABN & CDM
procedures. Created auditing process for all admits by staff. Updated all admitting P&P s.
*(Interim HRG) Ashland Community Hospital, Ashland OR 06/06 to 11/06
Interim Business Office Manager. Managing a staff of 8 in the business office. Office
policies and procedure reviewed, updated, and implemented. Review and audit of patient
account processes. Staff training for Oregon Medicaid (OMAP), Medicare, and
Commercial billing procedures. Audit and update write off procedures including
community care applications. Work with admitting and medical records managers to
create denial management team. Update EPremis and Meditech claims edits. Set up new
contracts with outside vendors for out of state Medicaid, collections and statements.
Implement new programs and training for staff.
*(Interim HRG) Gritman Medical Center Moscow, ID 05/06 to 6/06
Washington and Idaho Medicaid billing and follow up. Update Idaho Medicaid billing
regulations. Staff training for PES and ACS (WAMED WEB) Workman s Comp for
Idaho and Washington billing and follow up.
*(Interim HRG) Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 11/05 to 05/06
Follow up of commercial, Medicaid, out-of-state Medicaid inpatient and outpatient
accounts. Charge correction. Implementing and training staff on ACS (WAMED WEB).
Secondary claims management.
*(Interim HRG) Enumclaw Community Hospital, Enumclaw, WA 06/05 to 11/05
Conversion support from OPPS to CAH for Medicare Billing. Daily billing of all
inpatient and outpatient claims. Staff training of Medicare and Medicaid billing
procedures. AS400 close out.
*(Interim HRG) Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Idaho Falls, ID 05/05 through
06/05 Billing of secondary insurances, Medicaid follow up and account resolution.
Posting of contractual adjustments. Research accounts for patient liability.
*(Interim HRG) Prosser Memorial Hospital, Prosser, WA 09/04 through 05/05 Billing
reoccurring accounts for SNF, PT, OT and ST claims. Medicaid billing, Medicare and
Medicaid follow up. CHPW/Molina follow up. AR management, cash posting, and denial
management. Conversion assistance. Staff training for cash posting, CPSI and OMAP
billing, and account follow up. Developed policies and procedures for Medicaid
department, the rural health clinic billing and customer service.
*(Interim HRG) Providence Medical Center, Seattle WA 03/04 through 09/04 Refund
clean-up for several Doctors, Insurance follow up, and Cash posting.
*(Interim HRG) Seattle Physician Billing Group 01/04 through 03/04 Account research
for aged inventory over 1 year from DOS. Refunds, Billing, Appeals, and resolving
patient complaints. Timely filing adjustments and reversals.
*(Interim HRG) Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA 12/03 through 1/04 Insurance
follow up for all commercial and managed care companies. Appeals for Medical
necessity on reoccurring cancer treatment accounts.
Whidbey Island Chiropractic Center Oak Harbor, WA 2000-2003
Office Manager: Medical billing to several major carriers including Medicare and workman s
comp claims. Appointment scheduling, insurance follow up, Insurance verification, Updating
HIPPA compliance, Organizing office procedures, Monthly accounts payable, Payroll, Quarterly
taxes.
Whidbey General Hospital Coupeville, WA 1998- 2000
Medicare Specialist/Collections: Submission of Medicare claims electronically, Medicare
follow up, Posting remit advices, Updating Compliance Manuals, Checking claim status and
eligibility, follow-up phone calls for collections on cash patients, Educating staff on Medicare
rules and regulations.