FINANCIAL COUNSELOR - Credit & Collections Dept - Full Time - Days

Financial Counselor - Full Time

Shift: 8:00a - 4:30p

Job Description: 

PATIENT POPULATION:
The patient population served can be all patients, including geriatric, adult, adolescent, pediatric, and newborn. This also includes services which affect facility staff, physicians, visitors, vendors and the general public.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direct supervision of the Administrative Director of Revenue Cycle and the Manager of Patient Financial Services, the Financial Counselor is responsible for assisting the Hospital's uninsured or under insured patients with navigation of the process related to applying for various government sponsored healthcare programs. The above should be carried out within the regulations and guidelines of Medicare, Medi-Cal and commercial insurance contracts.

Must be able to work normal/scheduled working hours to include Holidays, call-backs, weeknights, weekends, and on-call. Agrees to participate, as directed, in emergencies and community disasters during scheduled and unscheduled hours. As a designated disaster service worker you are required to assist in times of need pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act.
(Gov’t. Code §§ 3100, 3102)

Needs to recognize that they have an affirmative duty and responsibility for reporting perceived misconduct, including actual or potential violations of laws, regulations, policies, procedures, or this organization’s standards/code of conduct.

The employee shall work well under pressure, meet multiple and sometimes competing deadlines; and the incumbent shall at all times demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues and supervisors.


EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE:
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.

To perform this job successfully, two (2) years of Patient Accounting in a Hospital, Medical Provider or large Physician practice experience preferred. Must be bilingual (Spanish), have some medical billing and/or follow up experience. Should have knowledge of Medi-Cal, County, and other indigent opportunities; Medicare and/or Medi-Cal guidelines.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence if required. Individual must be bilingual in English/Spanish.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages if required.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Should be able to work well under pressure and multi-task.

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of office machines and computer data entry, computer billing systems, and Microsoft applications."


LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should be a high school graduate or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:
*Indicates Essential Function

1 * Secures inpatient accounts by conducting interviews with the Hospital's uninsured patients and/or family members for the purpose of evaluating the patient's qualification for government programs. Assists patient by initiating application/information gathering for programs.
2 * Collaborates with the on-site county worker to ensure uninsured or underinsured patients are properly linked to the appropriate government sponsored program.
3 * Meets or speaks with collection representatives, patients or any other individuals that have legal rights or obligations on accounts to assist in the prompt resolution of outstanding patient accounts receivable.
4 * Collaborates with Case Management and the Authorization Coordinator to ensure compliance with the Medicare Life Time Reserve requirements.
5 * Assists patients with contacting insurance companies and/or billing department when questions arise concerning services covered and payment of services.
6 * Assists patients with making installment contract agreements pre or post services. Verifies eligibility for Medicare patients in the system and notes accounts in HIS system.
7 * Knowledgeable in government sponsored program rules and regulations. This shall include knowledge in completing government sponsored program forms. Reviews state and federal bulleting and memos