Zehra Merchant Email & Phone Number

Northbrook, Il, Us

Vernon Hills, Illinois, United States

Lead a team of five administrative direct reports and manage operations for a cross function team of Physical Therapists. Reporting directly to the owner, responsible for day-to-day scheduling for on-site and off-site team, patient treatment schedules, and fee collection. Manage all resource vendors and service vendors including CPA firm, billing software provider, hazardous materials control provider, and IT consultant. • Manage the total operations budget, including payroll, $3 million annually.• Renegotiated vendor contracts; engaged new resource partners lowering annual overhead by $25,000.• Expert skills in HCP coding, electronic billing, insurance verification posting, and communicating patient insurance policy coverage, exceptions, processes.• Lead all internal/external communications efforts supporting talent retention and recruitment.• Employee enrichment steward fostering and environment of respect, growth, and development.

Responsible for management of over 10,000 patient accounts, approximately 750 new patient accounts annually. Verify insurance coverage for physical therapy benefits, communicate benefits and coverage to patients, enter coverage limits into practice billing software, monitor visits.• Daily posting of payment receipts including cash, credit card, insurance payments.• Electronic billing of $250,000 monthly including private insurance, Medicare, Work Compensation claims.• Creating statistical financial reports for owner and front office.• Negotiating payments with third party payers and negotiated on behalf of patients regarding needed physical therapy benefits before return to work.• Provided exceptional customer service—on average 25 patient conferences per month.

Deerfield, Illinois, United States

• Worked on account receivables and called insurance companies for status of claims • Assisted patients with account balances and inquires • Checked ICD-9 and CPT code for accuracy and appropriateness• Monitored changes and payment entries • Credentialing and enrolling new providers

Bachelor Of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.), Health Information Management

Associate In Applied Science, Health Services Administration