PFS works toward Common Vision

As Andrew Carnegie once said, "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."

And teamwork is the foundation of the philosophy practiced in Southwest Medical Center’s Patient Financial Services department.

"The Billing and Collections team work together as one to maximize all collection efforts in the best interest of Southwest Medical Center," said Sandra Montes, PFS Director.

Patient Financial Services is responsible for maintaining current billing and collections procedures, monitoring any changes, and updating applicable policies, rules and regulations with all Medicare/Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas and other contracted networks/insurances.

PFS works closely with the Admissions, Medical Records and Accounting divisions at Southwest Medical Center.

"However," says Montes, "every department within Southwest Medical Center has some impact on daily operations of PFS."

PFS consists of 20 employees: Joyce Ward, Amber Williams, Janet Chavez, Lizbeth Lopez, Lesa Young, Tresa Ulery, Lysa Schield, Leslie Abbott, Frank Amor, Eva DeGuzman, Librada Lopez-Garcia, Veronica Marquez, Mirella Martines, Sanjuana Ramirez, Hetty Trutza, Stasia Denton, Carol Evans, Celina Mitchell and Christie Gerhardt.

Among the current PFS employees, eight are Spanish-speaking representatives. These representatives interpret patient inquiries, accept payments, make payment arrangements and, when needed, approve interpretations for different departments within the hospital. PFS is responsible for enrolling and updating physician contracts with Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and other commercial payors.

The PFS staff utilizes multiple computer software packages in their day-to-day duties including: Meditech, MS Access, SMS/AS400, Dezine, Pacware, Medical Manager, and Healthcare Administration Technologies Inc./X-Pack.

Every patient visit to Southwest Medical Center creates a new account.

Montes and Christie Gerhardt, PFS Supervisor, are very proud of their team.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for everything they do," she said. "We appreciate you and your hard work."