Financial Counselor

Position Summary

Responsible for assessing, connecting and/or enrolling patients to health insurance through Marketplace/PE or Medicaid as well as other financial assistance programs. Responsible for all patient support services conducted in the front office.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and visitors in a prompt, courteous, and helpful manner.
• Assist with answering incoming calls and route to appropriate persons or departments.
• Provide accurate and timely response to EMR and staff messages for benefits assistance.
• Assess patient health insurance need, determine eligibility, assist with applications, enrollment, support and assistance, including educating on options for patients with no insurance.
• Manage HRSA and NFP Financial Assistance Programs, Presumptive Eligibility and Medicaid, Marketplace, Drug Assistance Program, and CHAP program.
• Maintain documentation and records for HRSA and NFP financial assistance programs, CHAP and DAP; scan all applications with required documents and file them appropriately.
• Demonstrate and maintain expertise in eligibility and enrollment rules and procedures; the range of qualified health plan options and insurance affordability programs; the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations; and privacy and security standards.
• Complete required federal and/or state consumer assistance training and attend seminars or meetings as appropriate.
• Conduct internal education activities to raise awareness about services, resources and coverage options available under Medicaid, CHAP, DAP, Marketplace, MAGI, etc.
• Provide information and assistance in a fair, accurate, and impartial manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to diverse communities and accessible to individuals with disabilities.
• Provide referrals to applicable office of health insurance consumer assistance or ombudsman established under Section 2793 or the PHS Act to address consumer grievances, complaints or questions about health plan, coverage, or determination.
• Perform standard Medical Office Specialist duties: accurate and timely registration and scheduling for all appointment types; collect co‑payments and other patient responsibility payments; insurance verification; and other assigned duties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Computer proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite, database management, EMR and related functional software.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, patients and the public; teamwork orientation.
• Ability to read and understand oral and written instructions and communicate clearly, both written and verbally.
• Ability to follow written policies and procedures and work independently.
• Knowledge of medical insurance.
• Ability to operate fax machine and photocopier.
• Strong organizational qualities; ability to sort and file materials correctly by alphabetical or numeric system.
• Ability to multi‑task in a stressful environment.
• English communication required; Spanish preferred.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license and insurance.
• Flexible schedule.
• Minimum one year experience in a medical office setting.
• Proficiency as a Medical Office Specialist.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Ability to see, communicate, hear and utilize electronic communication devices.
• Ability to walk, sit or stand for long periods of time; some bending and stretching required.
• Eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard.
• Normal range of hearing and eyesight to record or prepare reports.
• Ability to lift papers or boxes up to 30 pounds.
• Regular evening and occasional weekend work hours.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Manager of Patient Services.