Financial Counselor

About the role

Responsible for assessing, connecting, and/or enrolling patients to health insurance through Marketplace, Presumptive Eligibility (PE), or Medicaid, as well as other financial assistance programs. Provides comprehensive patient support services 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.
• Respond accurately and timely to EMR and staff messages for benefits assistance.
• Assess patient health insurance needs, determine eligibility, and assist with applications, enrollment, and support, including:
  • Educate on options for patients with no insurance.
  • HRSA and NFP Financial Assistance Programs.
  • Presumptive Eligibility and Medicaid.
  • Marketplace.
  • Drug Assistance Program (DAP).
  • CHAP program.
• Maintain documentation and records for HRSA, 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.
  • Privacy and security standards.
• Successfully 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 offices of health insurance consumer assistance or ombudsman to address consumer grievances, complaints, or questions about their 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 types of patient responsibility payments.
  • Insurance verification.
• Complete all other duties assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Computer proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite, database management, application of EMR, and related functional software.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, patients, and the public.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish preferred.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license and insurance.
• Ability to have a flexible schedule.

Qualifications

• A minimum of one year experience in a medical office setting.
• Proficiency as a Medical Office Specialist.
• Computer proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite, database management.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to see, communicate, hear, and utilize electronic communication devices.
• Demonstrated ability to walk, sit, or stand for long periods of time.
• Some bending and stretching required.
• Requires eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard.
• Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record or prepare reports.
• Requires lifting papers or boxes up to 30 pounds.
• Regular evening and occasional weekend work hours.