Natalie Barajas
Mesa
Summary
Detail-oriented AR Billing Specialist skilled in managing account receivables and ensuring timely payment processing. Reduces outstanding debts while maintaining compliance with accounting principles and regulatory standards. Excels in invoice management, account reconciliation, and financial reporting, driving efficiency in billing operations.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
AR Billing Specialist
Skin and Cancer Center of Arizona
Chandler
11.2024 - Current
- Ensured accurate charge entry for nephrology services to support timely reimbursement.
- Coordinated insurance verification to maximize reimbursement rates.
- Executed collections activities to secure outstanding payments, improving cash flow.
- Generated monthly AR aging reports for management review.
- Reviewed, processed and reconciled accounts receivable invoices for accuracy.
- Maintained accurate records of all AR transactions and documents filed electronically or hard copy forms.
- Managed patient accounts and resolved billing inquiries to enhance patient satisfaction.
- Communicated with patients regarding billing statements and payment options.
- Resolved discrepancies in billing records through diligent research.
- Collaborated with clinical staff to ensure complete documentation for claims processing.
- Maintained compliance with healthcare regulations in billing practices.
- Interacted with customers via phone and email to answer inquiries regarding their accounts receivable status and payments due dates.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure accurate recording of customer payments received.
- Analyzed customer account information to ensure proper billing.
- Resolved pricing discrepancies with customers and vendors.
- Checked postings and documents for correctness, accuracy and proper coding.
- Assisted in the preparation of month-end close procedures related to Accounts Receivable transactions.
AR Billing Specialist/Payment Posting
National Cardiovascular Partners LLC
08.2017 - 11.2024
- Processed patient invoices and billing statements accurately and efficiently.
- Reviewed account discrepancies and resolved billing issues promptly.
- Handled patient inquiries and resolved billing issues, processed insurance claims, and trained new hires on office procedures.
- Maintained records of accounts receivable in financial management systems.
AR Billing Specialist
Nephrology Practice Solutions by DaVita, Inc.
10.2014 - 08.2017
- Managed accounts receivable processes to ensure timely revenue collection for comprehensive dermatology services.
- Coordinated with insurance companies to resolve claim discrepancies, improving claims approval rates.
- Reviewed and processed patient billing statements to enhance accuracy and minimize errors.
- Posted payments and processed accounts receivable for various billing tasks.
Collections Representative
Nextcare Urgent Care Billing Office
10.2012 - 09.2014
- Managed patient accounts for timely collections and accurate billing processes.
- Communicated with patients to resolve billing inquiries and disputes effectively.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to verify service details and insurance coverage.
- Generated AR reports and resolved denials for primary and secondary payers.
Collections Representative
Ottobock Orthopedic Services
10.2011 - 10.2012
- Managed patient accounts for timely collections and resolution of outstanding balances.
- Communicated with patients regarding billing inquiries and payment arrangements.
- Reviewed account notes for accuracy and ensured timely follow-up actions.
- Completed AR reports, managed denials, processed primary and secondary payers, and handled adjustments, insurance and patient calls, credit reports, aging reports, refunds, patient payments, reconsiderations, scanning, remittance advice, collections, appeals, month-end processing, and medical record requests.
Front Office Coordinator/ Billing Office
Southwest Internal Medicine and Pain Center
03.2009 - 01.2010
- Managed front desk operations and ensured efficient patient check-in processes.
- Scheduled appointments and coordinated patient flow throughout the clinic.
- Scheduled appointments, obtained patients' insurance information, and secured authorization for pain management services.
- Developed patient payment plans and managed payment and denial postings for internal medicine and pain management.
- Handled patient inquiries and provided information about services offered.
Authorization Specialist/ Patient Collections/ Front Office
AACI Foot Leg and Ankle Care
10.2007 - 10.2008
- Processed patient authorization requests efficiently and accurately.
- Reviewed medical documentation for compliance with insurance guidelines to ensure accurate processing of claims.
- Communicated with healthcare providers to gather necessary information for timely authorization decisions.
- Scheduled appointments, obtained patients' insurance information, secured authorizations for DME usage and surgeries, and created patient payment plans to enhance patient care.
Instructional Assistant
Mesa Unified School District
08.2005 - 10.2007
- Assisted teachers in preparing instructional materials and lesson plans to enhance classroom learning.
- Supported students with diverse learning needs during classroom activities.
- Facilitated small group discussions, fostering student engagement and deeper understanding of content.
- Counseled students, created personalized plans, updated personal files in public school system, and developed syllabuses and teaching plans to support academic success.
Data Processor
MedStat Inc. Medical Billing
10.2002 - 07.2005
- Ensured accuracy and compliance of medical billing data with industry standards through thorough processing.
- Audited patient records to confirm adherence to coding and billing procedures.
- Utilized billing software to input and track claims efficiently.
- Trained staff in medical billing, emphasizing insurance verification, paperwork filing, and code posting for ER facilities.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Library Science
Arizona State University
AZ, USA01.2009
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Excel
- Outlook
- Medisoft
- E-Clinical
- Gateway
- Bright Tree
- Webscan
- MediNotes
- Healthcare software
- Practice management software
- Nextgen
- AthenaNet
- CureMd
- PMD Soft
- Patient management system
- Healthcare billing software
- Medical terminology knowledge
- Anatomy/Physiology
- ICD-9/10
- CPT
- HCPCS
- AHCCCS
- HIPAA
- CMS 1500
- UB-04
- HMO’s
- PPO’s
- HRA’s
- Denials
- Accounts receivable
- Electronic Billing
- EOB’s
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Aging Reports
- Postings
- Charge entry
- Insurance verification
- Claims processing
- Accounts reconciliation
- Billing compliance
- Account management
- Collections strategy
- Revenue cycle management
- Client relationship management
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Team collaboration
- Time management
- Billing software
- Accounts receivable management
- AR aging reports
- Payment posting
- Collections management
- Invoice processing
- Financial reconciliation
- Revenue balancing
- Updating spreadsheets
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Ledger maintenance
- Time management
- Customer service
- Task management
- Confidentiality
- Reconciling charges
- Multitasking skills
- Complaint resolution
Timeline
AR Billing Specialist
Skin and Cancer Center of Arizona
11.2024 - Current
AR Billing Specialist/Payment Posting
National Cardiovascular Partners LLC
08.2017 - 11.2024
AR Billing Specialist
Nephrology Practice Solutions by DaVita, Inc.
10.2014 - 08.2017
Collections Representative
Nextcare Urgent Care Billing Office
10.2012 - 09.2014
Collections Representative
Ottobock Orthopedic Services
10.2011 - 10.2012
Front Office Coordinator/ Billing Office
Southwest Internal Medicine and Pain Center
03.2009 - 01.2010
Authorization Specialist/ Patient Collections/ Front Office
AACI Foot Leg and Ankle Care
10.2007 - 10.2008
Instructional Assistant
Mesa Unified School District
08.2005 - 10.2007
Data Processor
MedStat Inc. Medical Billing
10.2002 - 07.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Library Science
Arizona State University