Kathryn Gonzales
Colorado Springs
Summary
Dynamic Advanced Medical Support Assistant with extensive experience at the Department of Veterans Affairs, excelling in claims processing and patient advocacy. Proven ability to streamline operations and enhance team collaboration, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Adept at utilizing electronic health records to improve patient care efficiency and outcomes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Advanced Medical Support Assistant
Department Of Veterans Affairs
Aurora
01.2020 - Current
- The Advanced Medical Support Assistant position provides services in a patient care setting which is delivered in a team oriented model and works collaboratively with other members of health care including; nursing, physicians, pharmacists, social workers, dieticians, behavioral health staff, etc. to provide a robust interdisciplinary approach to care.
- Important interfaces and collaborations also occur with larger health care system providers including VA and non VA specialists, hospitals, diagnostic and treating facilities and community based programs.
- The Advanced Medical Support Assistant position is a foundational role within the VHA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) initiative. Patient care is delivered in a team based model known as the teamlet.
- Streamlined patient care operations through effective task management and collaboration.
- Coordinates with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensure that the clinic set up is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic and make any necessary adjustments;
- Coordinated Non-VA outpatient specialty clinic electronic consults and processed authorizations, ensuring timely scheduling with non-VA providers.
- Facilitated team huddles and meetings to prioritize patient care, manage workflows, and adapt to changing team and patient needs.
Voucher Examiner
Department of Veterans Affairs
Denver
03.2015 - 01.2020
- Examined routine and non-routine vouchers/claims for payment of authorized and unauthorized medical care, ancillary care, and travel for CHAMPVA, ensuring compliance with established guidelines.
- Reviews vouchers/claims to ensure all processing information is present, makes determinations on claims based on legal entitlement, and enters payment information into a computerized claims payment processing system.
- Calculated and prorated distribution of Other Health Insurance (OHI) resolution responsibilities based on service dates provided on claims, ensuring accurate claims processing.
- Guided individuals in preparing documents and evidence to efficiently resolve errors and delays in benefits acquisition.
- Maintains knowledge of medical terminology and varying coding systems (i.e., International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS), as well as American Dental Association (ADA) coding guidelines).
Voucher Examiner
Department of Veterans Affairs
Denver
04.2013 - 03.2015
- Reviews vouchers/claims to ensure all processing information is present, makes determinations on claims based on legal entitlement, and enters payment information into a computerized claims payment processing system.
- Examined routine and non-routine vouchers/claims for payment of authorized and unauthorized medical care, ancillary care, and travel for CHAMPVA, ensuring compliance and accuracy from hospitals, clinics, physicians, laboratories, and beneficiaries.
- Reviewed applications and claims, provided guidance on benefits and rights, clarified legal provisions and regulations, and assisted individuals in resolving errors and delays in obtaining benefits.
- Calculated and prorated distribution of Other Health Insurance (OHI) resolution responsibilities based on service dates, ensuring accurate claims processing.
- Updated knowledge of medical terminology and coding systems, including ICD, CPT, HCPCS, and ADA guidelines.
Human Resources Specialist
United States Army
Fort Carson
04.2008 - 06.2011
- Maintained records for 36 organizations with over 5,000 personnel, ensuring quality customer service standards were upheld.
- Accessed the Electronic Military Personnel Office (eMILPO) system to verify records are complete and accurate.
- Accessed the Interactive Personnel Electronic Records Management System (iPerms) and uploaded personnel records into their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) files.
- Made Identification cards for an average of 10 customers per day on the Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) system.
- Input 1,000 awards and decorations in half the time allotted without error.
- Led team of 6 personnel specialists, assistants, and clerks to consistently meet project deadlines.
- Mentored and trained 6 personnel on RAPIDS and iPerms software, enhancing team competency and efficiency.
Education
Bachelor's degree - Health Care Administration
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ05-2024
Technical or occupational certificate -
Virtual Aspiring Supervisor Program
Aurora, CO01-2024
Technical or occupational certificate - Medical Billing and Coding Certificate
US Career Institute
Fort Collins, CO02-2016
Some college (no degree) -
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CASome college (no degree) -
Thomas Edison State College
Trenton, NJSome college (no degree) -
University of Maryland University College Maryland in Europe
Adelphi, MDSome college (no degree) - Bachelors in Healthcare Administration
American Military University
Charles Town, WVSkills
- Electronic health records
- Medical terminology
- Claims processing
- Patient scheduling
- Healthcare regulations
- Patient advocacy
- Team collaboration
Timeline
Advanced Medical Support Assistant
Department Of Veterans Affairs
01.2020 - Current
Voucher Examiner
Department of Veterans Affairs
03.2015 - 01.2020
Voucher Examiner
Department of Veterans Affairs
04.2013 - 03.2015
Human Resources Specialist
United States Army
04.2008 - 06.2011
Bachelor's degree - Health Care Administration
University of Phoenix
Technical or occupational certificate -
Virtual Aspiring Supervisor Program
Technical or occupational certificate - Medical Billing and Coding Certificate
US Career Institute
Some college (no degree) -
Bakersfield College
Some college (no degree) -
Thomas Edison State College
Some college (no degree) -
University of Maryland University College Maryland in Europe
Some college (no degree) - Bachelors in Healthcare Administration
American Military University