Lead Financial Advocate

Job Details

Lead Financial Advocate

Job Description

The Lead Financial Advocate performs all financial screening functions to assess patient liability and helps to ensure all insurance requirements are met prior to a patient encounter. Maintains excellent working relationship with community providers and their staff, and the highest level of confidentiality when dealing with patient’s financial documents and personal circumstances related to their care. Accurately completes patient accounts based on departmental protocols, policies and procedures and compliance with regulatory agencies. The Sr. Financial Advocate handles advanced issues regarding patient financial liability and funding, and is the first-level resource for problem resolution .

1. Interacts with co-workers, visitors, and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson Percentage of time N/A

2. Provides guidance and counseling to patients in high anxiety and stressful situations. Provides front facing information and in relays information to patients at a level that can patients can comprehend. 20%

3. Analyzes patient account information to determine financial liability. Explains level of benefits, the billing/collection process, and secures payment arrangements. Ensures appropriate insurance and financial documentation is stored in the system. 15%

4. Assists patients in obtaining other funding sources, such as grant programs, COBRA extension, and enrollment in subsidized programs. Refers patients for Medical Assistance benefits, if needed. 15%

5. Initiates and processes charity care/financial assistance applications to determine level of assistance. 15%

6. Collects monies from or sets up payment plan with patients having the ability to pay. This includes outstanding accounts receivable, advance down-payments from self-pay patients, and co-pays and deductibles from insured patients. 10% 7. Educates patients on relevant policies such as point of service collections, payment plans, and financial assistance during the scheduling, registration and/or financial interview processes. Following set policy, may recommend deferment of elective services. 10%

8. Works closely with Patient Services in the Business Office to coordinate and qualify patients for assistance on older open patient balances in the receivable. 10%

9. Researches, identifies, follows-up and rectifies any special circumstances affecting delayed payment of self-pay accounts.

Customer service, and critical/analytical thinking skills. Proficiency with PCs and computer applications/software. Knowledge of rules governing reimbursement programs, charity care and Medicaid programs and qualifications.

Outstanding oral and written communication skills. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Thorough understanding of the impact financial counseling services has on the hospitals’ reimbursement goals. Possesses understanding of and follows regulations outlined by state, federal and third party coverage policies and procedures

HS Diploma or equivalent required; 5+ years of experience in healthcare financial counseling required if no degree. Optional: Insert code from Education and Experience worksheet Preferred Experience, Education, Degree, Certification(s), License(s) (Type manually or insert code) Bachelor's degree in a related field (such as Social Work, Finance, or Healthcare Administration) strongly preferred.

Work Shift

Workday Day (United States of America)

Worker Sub Type

Regular

Employee Entity

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc.

Primary Location Address

925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research.