Patient Financial Advisor

Patient Financial Advisor

A patient financial advisor at a hospital assists patients in understanding their medical bills, insurance coverage, and payment options. They provide guidance on financial assistance programs and help patients navigate billing processes to ensure clarity and reduce stress. The advisor also works collaboratively with hospital staff to address patient concerns and promote overall satisfaction.

Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Educates, screens, and assists patients who do not have valid insurance coverage to enroll in third-party eligibility programs.
• Educates patient during interview on applicable policies such as point-of-service collection, payment options, and financial assistance.
• Performs follow up with patient and the Division of Medicaid to ensure appropriate completion of applications and submission of all required documentation.
• Submits Medicaid applications timely and accurately.
• Meets with patients who present as self-pay to obtain valid insurance coverage, if applicable, and/or review prior account information to obtain insurance coverage.
• Consistently interacts with sensitivity to patients/their families and is responsive to individual needs.
• Serves as support to patients and their family members to assure customers have access to all available funding.

Critical Thinking

• Analyzes patient financial condition based on interview and inputs into financial counseling system.
• Documents all calls, correspondence, and related activities to each patient's account in the correct place using appropriate tools and language.
• Responsible for calculating patient out-of-pocket amounts due and collecting on those amounts for unscheduled inpatient and observation admits having insurance coverage.
• Maintain complete records of all patients applying for indigent or financial assistance to include the application, proof of income, the acceptance/denial letter, and any other applicable documentation.
• Verifies and assures all accounts are ready for routing for approval for charity or billing with adequate supporting documentation within the established time frames.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently, be attentive to detail, and ensure work is completed timely and accurately.
• Demonstrates ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize duties/tasks.
• Identifies trends that may indicate problem areas and alerts Supervisor/Manager/Director of such. Plays key role in initiating solutions.

Interpersonal Relations

• Work closely with Case Management (UR) on a daily basis in regard to notification of active Medicaid coverage, authorizations, and changes to Healthy Louisiana Plans; obtains needed authorization and forwards to Utilization Management when received.
• Maintains daily contact with Utilization Management, Business Office, patient Registration, Medical Records, Ancillary departments, various third-party agencies, HMO/PPOs, patients, patient families, physician offices and other outside entities.
• Actively participates in and encourages others to utilize creative and innovative approaches to accomplish tasks.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience: 1 year of experience in financial services, insurance, or billing/patient accounts

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System