Patient Access Financial Counselor - Patient Access

Financial Counselor

Provides counseling to inpatients and outpatients for financial responsibility. Serves as the primary contact for patients and families regarding financial assistance, and insurance coverage eligibility. Partners with the managed care group to determine advanced verification of insurance, pre-certification, and benefit determination.

Essential Functions:

• Interviews patients and/or family members to secure information concerning insurance coverage, eligibility, and qualification for various financial assistance programs.
• Meets with patients/families on the unit to obtain information that was not collected during the admission process and completes registration items, (i.e. insurance cards, prescription cards, correct demographic information etc.).
• Assesses the patient's need for financial assistance during the admission process or at a time prior to the patients discharge.
• Determines patient eligibility for charity care for inpatient/outpatient level of care. Completes the charity application in accordance with NCH charity care policies. Forwards applications to Patient Accounts for final review and approval.
• Completes notes in the EPIC system on all discussions, events and outcomes.
• Responds to all inquiries regarding patient accounts and financial assistance policies.
• Maintains effective communication and cooperative working relationships with other departments, staff, patients and visitors.

Education Requirement:

High school graduate, required.

Associates degree preferred.

Licensure Requirement:

(not specified)

Certifications:

(not specified)

Skills:

Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Ability to work and problem solve with minimal supervision.

Analytical and decision-making skills with a strong attention to detail required.

Ability to understand and retain complex and quickly changing information.

Knowledge of the impact of managed care trends on hospital operations.

Familiar with medical terminology.

Able to function as a team member responsible for staffing operational hours.

Ability to adapt to change positively in workflow and process.

Keyboarding/typing/data entry skills.

Experience:

Two years' experience in registration, collections, customer service, billing or related medical field, preferred.

Familiarity with government, commercial and third-party billing, preferred.

Physical Requirements:

OCCASIONALLY: Chemicals/Medications, Climb stairs/ladder, Communicable Diseases and/or Pathogens, Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Loud Noises, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Reaching above shoulder, Squat/kneel, Standing, Walking

FREQUENTLY: Bend/twist

CONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, Computer skills, Decision Making, Flexing/extending of neck, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Peripheral vision, Problem solving, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near, Sitting

Additional Physical Requirements performed but not listed above:

Ability to multi-task within a stressful environment.

"The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. EOE M/F/Disability/Vet"