Patient Financial Advocate

Patient Financial Advocate

A Patient Financial Advocate is responsible for providing financial counseling to uninsured/underinsured patients, by determining medical assistance eligibility for patients in clinic, hospital outpatient/inpatient, emergency settings, and in a call center environment. Patient Financial Advocates assist patients with submitting and/or processing documentation to complete applications for various medical assistance programs, such as: State/Federal public benefits, ACA insurance availability, and internal/external financial assistance programs. A Patient Financial Advocate will provide general insurance education, provide price quotes to potential patients, and assist with payments and payment arrangements.

This position will be working weekend and nights - Thursday-Monday 1500-2330 -shift differential and working holidays except Christmas

Essential Functions

• Provides financial counseling and assistance to patients and their families, explaining their insurance coverage, benefits, and out-of-pocket costs.
• Identifies and facilitates the application of financial assistance programs, such as Medicaid, charity care, or payment plans, for eligible patients.
• Completes and submits appropriate applications to Department of Human Services or MA Site as applicable. Follows up through determination.
• Obtains and verifies insurance information, authorizations, and referrals for scheduled and unscheduled services.
• Reviews and updates patient accounts, ensuring accuracy and completeness of demographic and financial information.
• Follows up with patients, providers, and insurance companies to resolve billing issues and disputes.
• Educates patients on their financial obligations and rights and provide information on billing policies and procedures.
• Documents all financial counseling and assistance activities in the electronic health record system.
• Collaborates with other departments and teams to ensure a positive and seamless patient experience.

Skills

• Healthcare Insurance
• Billing
• Financial Counseling
• Insurance Verification
• Detail Oriented
• Compassion
• Customer Service
• HIPAA
• Electronic Health Record
• Affordable Care Act

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated experience in healthcare revenue cycle, patient access or other customer service role.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the Affordable Care Act, Insurance billing, medical terminology, and reimbursement practices.
• Demonstrated proficiency in interpreting insurance Explanation of Benefits.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Office applications, electronic health record systems, internet and email
• Demonstrates excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and other regulations.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion, empathy, and respect for patients and their families.

Preferred

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience in financial counseling, insurance verification, or collections.
• Experience with Epic

Physical Requirements

• Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, documents, monitors, identify equipment and supplies, and be able to assess customer needs.
• Frequent interactions with providers, colleagues, customers, patients/clients and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, needs, and issues quickly and accurately.
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate supplies and equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use for typing, accessing needed information, etc.
• For roles requiring driving: Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, and other vehicles

Location: Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital

Work City: Billings

Work State: Montana

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

The hourly range for this position is listed below. Actual hourly rate dependent upon experience.

$19.41 - $28.14

We care about your well-being – mind, body, and spirit – which is why we provide our caregivers a generous benefits package that covers a wide range of programs to foster a sustainable culture of wellness that encompasses living healthy, happy, secure, connected, and engaged.