Financial Counselor

About the Role

The Financial Counselor is responsible for offering financial advice and assistance to patients regarding medical bills. They act as the liaison between patients and their insurance companies, coordinating payments, and answering questions from both parties. Maintaining accurate account balances in accordance with contractual obligations, fee schedules, or regulations is a required job duty.

Responsibilities

• Enters patient demographic and financial information in the patient accounting system for inpatient and IOP admissions.
• Ensures that the completed admission yields a legacy system facesheet, armband, labels, etc.
• Ensures proper documentation is received for billing compliance, including complete Intake Assessment and Physician Order.
• Reconciles the midnight census to ensure accuracy in the patient accounting system.
• Meets with all new admissions to review insurance benefits and financial obligations.
• Updates patient accounting system with additional or revisions to demographic or financial information obtained during patient visit.
• Initiates point of care collections with patients.
• Coordinates non-covered day discussion with Utilization Management and patients, scans signed form into the patient account system, and notifies Financial Intake.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent as minimum requirement.
• Previous customer service experience in a similar field, including employment as a call center worker, credit authorizer, or customer service representative, is beneficial.
• Strict adherence to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules regarding collection attempts due to the sensitivity and confidentiality of financial records.

Qualifications / Skills

• Experience with Microsoft Office products and general patient accounting systems.
• Knowledge of third-party payers, Medicare, Medicaid, and other payer requirements.
• Strong customer service skills for interacting with patients regarding medical claims and payments, including communication with patients and family members of diverse ages and backgrounds.
• Ability to work in a team environment and function with minimal supervision.
• Complete understanding and respect of confidentiality.
• Adherence to policies and procedures in accordance with State and Federal Laws, JCAHO, HCFA, and other regulatory boards.
• Successful completion of CPR certification and an Oceans-approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Work Environment

The role is subject to many interruptions and occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. The position can be high-paced and stressful, requiring the ability to cope mentally and physically with the atmosphere. Work is primarily indoors (approximately 90% or more of the time), offering protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.