Financial Counselor

Current Bronson employees should apply using the career worklet in Workday. This posting is for external applicants only.

About the role

The Financial Counselor meets with patients/guarantors to assist with healthcare funding (e.g., Charity Care, Medicaid, or other local/governmental programs) and payment options. Responsibilities span from initial patient contact through pre-admission/pre-registration to account maintenance until discharge. The role involves determining financial status, performing cashiering and customer service functions, and ensuring patient safety by authenticating identity. Employees must demonstrate competencies specific to the population served.

Responsibilities

• Perform financial counseling for multiple patient types (Inpatient Admissions, Outpatient Observation, Diagnostic Outpatients, Ambulatory Surgery, Emergency Department Registrations, Series accounts, etc.).
• Communicate frequently with patients, family members, guarantors, third-party payers, governmental agencies, attorneys, employers, physicians, and contracted vendors.
• Assist patients in completing applications for funding sources (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare, disability programs).
• Conduct financial counseling for uninsured/under-insured patients pre-service, time-of-service, and post-service.
• Interview patients or representatives to update demographic, clinical, financial, and insurance data.
• Review prior account notes and document all encounters and actions.
• Inform patients of liabilities and collect co-payments, co-insurances, deductibles, deposits, and outstanding balances.
• Calculate patient liabilities, conduct credit scoring, and determine ability/propensity to pay.
• Provide financial education and outline funding options.
• Document payments/actions in the patient accounting system and provide receipts.
• Collect supporting documentation (e.g., payroll stubs, tax returns, credit history) for funding applications.
• Counsel patients on financial liability, third-party payer requirements, and outside financial resources.
• Establish payment plans and investigate No Fault and Workers’ Compensation cases.
• Analyze financial/eligibility data to determine potential eligibility for federal, state, or county programs.
• Initiate charity write-off requests when appropriate.
• Monitor accounts in eligibility-pending financial classes and follow up on application status.
• Work with contracted vendors to qualify applicants and review cases prior to agency placement.
• Provide pricing estimates and communicate pre-service patient liability.
• Serve as a notary public for patients, physicians, and customers.
• Act as a liaison for departments such as Social Work Services and Utilization Review/Case Management.
• Perform cashiering functions (payment receipt/posting, balancing deposits, cash drawer management, refunds, adjustments, transfers).
• Provide customer service (respond to inquiries, generate itemized bills, process refunds).
• Cross-train in various functions to support departmental services.
• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards of conduct.

Requirements

• 1 year of experience in a hospital/clinic, insurance company, managed care organization, or financial service setting performing financial counseling, clearance, or customer service.
• Associate’s degree preferred.
• Notary public credentials preferred.
• Knowledge of insurance/governmental programs (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Disability, Champus, Supplemental Security Income Disability) and their application processes.
• Understanding of managed care contracts and coordination of benefits.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology desirable.
• Data entry skills (50–60 keystrokes per minute).
• Basic computer skills.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, and time management skills.
• Ability to set/organize work priorities and adapt to frequent changes.
• Ability to work concurrently on multiple tasks in a potentially stressful environment with diverse personalities.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication (verbal/written), and organizational abilities.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with clinical staff to maximize financial counseling effectiveness.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, shared leadership environment.
• Knowledge of insurance payer regulations and revenue cycle components.

Working Conditions

• High levels of mental/visual fatigue (e.g., CRT work 70–90% of the time).
• Work involving close tolerances and sustained hand/eye coordination.
• Physical demands include regular walking, standing, stooping, bending, sitting, and lifting light objects.

Schedule

First Shift, Full time, 40 scheduled weekly hours.