Financial Counselor

The Financial Counselor is responsible for offering financial advice and assistance to patients regarding medical bills. There are the liaison between patients and their insurance companies; often coordinating payment and answering questions from both parties. Maintaining accurate account balances in accordance with contractual obligations, fee schedules, or regulations is required job duty.

Essential Functions

• Enters patient demographic and financial information in the patient accounting system for inpatient and IOP admissions.
• Ensures that the completed admission yields a legacy system facesheet, armband, labels, etc.
• Ensures proper documentation is received for billing compliance – complete Intake Assessment and Physician Order.
• Reconciles the midnight census to ensure accuracy in the patient accounting system.
• Meets with all new admissions to review insurance benefits and financial obligations.
• Updates patient accounting system with additional or revisions to demographic or financial information obtained during patient visit.
• Initiates point of care collections with patients.
• Coordinates non-covered day discussion with Utilization Management and patients – scans signed form into the patient account system and notifies Financial Intake
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Educational / Experience Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent as minimum requirement. Previous customer service experience in a similar field, including employment as a call center worker, credit authorizer or customer service representative, is also beneficial. Due to the sensitivity and confidentiality of financial records, collectors are required to be in strict accordance with the rules regarding collection attempts regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Qualifications / Skills

Experience in Microsoft Office products and general patient accounting systems. Knowledge of third party payers, Medicare, Medicaid, and other payer requirements. Customer service skills for interacting with patients regarding medical claims and payments, including communicating with patients and family members of diverse ages and backgrounds. Able to work in a team environment. Ability to function with minimal supervision and complete understanding and respect of confidentiality. Follows policy and procedures that are in accordance with State and Federal Laws, JCAHO, HCFA and other regulatory boards as required by state and federal laws as well as the mission statement. Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Work Environment

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.