Private Patient Billing Officer
Job summary
The post holder will be able to provide patients with accurate cost estimates and generate all invoices for services received including insurance and self-pay.
The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that all details regarding pay mechanisms are accurately entered on to Compucare in a timely manner. The post holder will be capable of accepting all methods or payment cheque, credit/debit card. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring all paperwork and back up documentation relating to invoices is scanned into Compucare.
The post holder will be the first point of contact for patients, secretaries, and third parties making enquiries in relation to their invoicing for private care. They will also work with finance to ensure that all queries in relation to finance are resolved in a timely fashion and escalate any variances in contract or issues with invoicing to the Managing Director of Private Care and the Commercial Finance Manager.
The post holder will work in conjunction with the credit control team ensuring all notes are updated on Cerner in relation to communications had internally, with consultants, patients, third party providers/payers to improve the communication between finance and private care department.
Submit all invoices were applicable to the relevant portals in a timely manner with all the information that is required.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for supporting the Private Patients Service by preparing accurate cost estimates and invoices using the Private Patient Tariff and relevant procedure codes. Verify clinical and financial information through Cerner, E-Proc, and other Trust systems to ensure correct billing. Maintain patient invoice templates, applying appropriate insurer, embassy, and self-pay rates. Prepare and review supporting documentation, including authorisation codes, policy details, and guarantees of payment. Process re-bills, credit notes, and patient payments, ensuring compliance with Trust financial procedures. Investigate and resolve billing queries professionally, liaising with patients, consultants, insurers, embassies, and internal teams. Maintain accurate records, uphold GDPR and confidentiality standards, support service operations, provide cover for senior colleagues when required, and contribute to evening and weekend rota coverage to meet service needs.
About us
Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.
We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Prepare cost estimates for consultants and patients by completing cost estimate documentation using the appropriate procedure codes and prices, referring to the current Private Patient Tariff
Verify the accuracy of information provided by clinical departments, including the Chelsea Wing, Endoscopy, and Private Outpatients, by checking Cerner (Electronic Patient Records) and E-Proc systems before raising invoice requests.
Collate and record details of patients' tests and procedures using the BUPA Schedule of Procedures and the Private Patient Tariff. Populate and maintain individual patient invoice templates, ensuring tariffs and contracted rates for insured patients are applied correctly.
Prepare supporting documentation received from Admissions Officers and outpatient clinics, ensuring policy numbers, authorisation details, and guarantee letters of payment from embassies and insurance companies are included. Where information is incomplete, liaise with the relevant department to obtain the required documentation.
Process private patient re-bill and credit note requests for both inpatient and outpatient activity, including self-funded patients, embassy-sponsored patients, and private maternity cases, as directed by the Finance Lead.
Investigate and resolve billing and account queries received in person, by telephone, or email, dealing with patients sensitively and professionally. Liaise effectively with internal departments and external organisations, including insurance providers and embassies.
Maintain accurate, organised, and up-to-date filing systems for all financial and patient-related documentation.
Always ensure strict confidentiality of patient information, in accordance with the Trust's Confidentiality Policy and Information Governance requirements (GDPR).
Develop and maintain proficiency in Trust financial systems, including Compucare, and other relevant IT systems such as Cerner Patient Administration System (PAS), to verify patient information and support financial processes.
Provide cover for the Assistant Service Manager when required, supporting the day-to-day operation of the Private Patients service.
Process payments securely from patients using debit and credit cards over the telephone by entering details directly into Compucare. Issue payment confirmations and receipts to patients via email.
Participate in the team rota and work evenings and weekends when required to meet service needs.
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager.
All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure, you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.
Person Specification
Experience
- Demonstrate well developed, effective interpersonal skills and communication skills
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
- Experience within a Private Patients Department
Education and qualifications
- Technical Apprenticeship in Customer Service
- NVQ Level 4 Customer Services
- AAT Level 2 basic accounting or equivalent knowledge or experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer details
Employer name
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/