Patient Financial Counselor

The Patient Financial Counselor will be tasked with coordinating and facilitating patient billing and payment collection activities. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to educating patients on their out-of-pocket expenses and covered services, monitoring self-pay accounts, identifying and reviewing past due balances, coordinating payment arrangements, processing financial assistance applications and referring delinquent accounts to collection agency.

Job Description:

• Process self-pay payments, adjustments, correspondence, patient refunds, collections and payment plan in an accurate and timely manner; meeting goals in work quality and productivity
• Thoroughly and timely work self-pay work queues, reconciling account balances and pursuing self-pay balances to ensure timely payments
• Assist patients with billing inquires, setting up payment plans, generating patient estimates and obtaining appropriate signatures prior to rendering services
• Perform financial assessment for individuals that are uninsured and underinsured to determine for state, federal and private insurance programs evaluating patient eligibility for financial assistance adjustment
• Review daily IP, ER, Surgery and OP admissions that are self-pay
• Identify delinquent accounts and contact patients to negotiate payment plans
• Process bankruptcy and probate accounts
• Exhibit a high level of courtesy, tact and poise when interacting with patients, co-workers, other internal customers, visitors and healthcare professionals
• Provide quality customer service and resolution to callers' concerns
• Document account activity accurately and promptly during or immediately following each patient encounter on the telephone or in person
• Prepare and present unresolved patient concerns to Revenue Cycle Director
• Responsible for correctly identifying and updating various types of insurance entry information while maintaining a basic understanding and knowledge of health insurance plans, policies and procedures
• Knowledge, understanding, and compliance with HIPAA, FDCPA, and all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations
• Knowledge, understanding, and compliance with Revenue Group policies and procedures
• Maintain knowledge of functional area and company policies and procedures
• Make recommendations to implement improved processes
• Attend all required staff and in-service meetings
• Opens daily mail and processes daily deposits.
• Counts and maintains petty cash boxes
• Scans days' work, correspondence, and enters financial information on spreadsheet
• Perform other duties as assigned by management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalency
• Accurate 10 key by touch
• Keyboard minimum 40 wpm
• Excellent communication skills (reading/written/verbal)
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks in a fast-paced high demanding environment
• Acceptance of diversity and willing to participate in a team environment; as well as willingness to follow hospital policies and procedures as established
• Demonstrate professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive information
• Comfortable discussing financial matters and asking for/requesting payment on past due accounts
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in a healthcare environment with a knowledge of billing and collection experience preferred
• Bi-lingual a plus

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a healthcare environment
• Experience in insurance and/or billing
• Additional language skills - Spanish preferred