Financial Counselor

Bargaining Unit: EA

Rate of Pay: $30.64/hour + DOE

Summary
Assists patients by connecting them with financial programs and resources as applicable. Evaluates and secures insurance status of each patient, utilizing the demographic, financial and clinical information supplied by the Patient Registration Department, patient interviews, and consultation with other departments and outside agencies to ensure maximum reimbursement to the physicians and hospital in a timely manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Complies with established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.


• Maintains effective communication with hospital staff, physicians, physician’s offices, patient and/or families, insurance companies, and appropriate vendors.


• Identifies patients with financial liability and connects them with appropriate financial programs including Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Financial Assistance, Prompt Pay Discount, and Payment Plans.


• Meets with patients’ bedside in Emergency Room and Inpatient Rooms to deliver estimates, discuss benefits, discuss payment options, and collect payment as necessary.


• Assists patients in applying for Medi-Cal/Medicaid by completing the following functions: screens patients, compiles application and supporting documents, submits completed application to appropriate county, and follows up on eligibility status with county regularly.


• Answers phones from Financial Counseling line. Assists with coverage of Financial Customer Service line as needed.


• Responds to requests from District staff to assist patients.


• Works closely with Patient Financial Services, Authorizations, Credentialing, Case Management, Nursing, Scheduling, Patient Advocate, and Financial Customer Service to research and resolve patient billing and insurance issues.


• Completes Financial Clearance Process for urgent services.


• Enters patient complaint information into tracking system and follows up as needed.


• Completes assigned work queue activities.


• Creates financial estimates for scheduled services and financially clears patient before services are rendered, including collecting deposits.


• Verifies and routes e-mails to appropriate area from information message system.


• Researches all patient requests, billing issues, and concerns. Coordinates with other departments as needed to ensure timely response to patients.


• Sets up patient accounts on payment plans and sends letters to patients.


• Reviews final bad debt notices and bankruptcy documents and processes appropriately.


• Processes Financial Assistance applications.


• Attends and participates in department approved training.


• Understands, supports, promotes, and adheres to the customer service philosophy and standards of the Tahoe Forest Hospital District.


• Demonstrates System Values in performance and behavior.


• Complies with System policies and procedures.


• Other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities
No supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Education/Experience
6 months to 1 year relevant experience

Required Licenses/Certifications
AAHAM Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (CRCS) - Within 1 year of hire into job

Other Experience/Qualifications

Preferred

• Strong aptitude with Microsoft Access


• Utilizes computer system and its features


• Bachelor of Arts Degree


• One to two years’ experience working with public and experience in patient registration and/or hospital patient accounting office