Job Summary
A Financial Counselor maintains and processes all assigned patient accounts and counsels patients regarding the admitting and discharging processes and payment alternatives. Work is of a confidential nature.
Reports to: Manager of Patient Access CFO
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Job Requirements
Minimum Education
High school diploma required; advanced education preferred.
Proficient in use of software programs.
Excellent customer service and telephone skills a must.
Minimum of one year of business or related experience including bookkeeping with use of calculating equipment and collection of monies is required.
Hospital or medical business office experience preferred.
Medical terminology preferred.
Required Skills
Familiarity with organization and functions of each hospital department
Ability to problem-solve effectively and handle stress in a positive manner
Maintain harmonious relationships with nursing personnel medical staff hospital administration and all hospital departments
Ability to work varying shifts (evenings weekends holidays)
Essential Functions
Counsels patients (or responsible parties) to establish payment method.
Contacts patients in advance of admission to obtain missing information particularly patients signature for accepting obligation to pay.
Estimates and informs patient of portion of bill which must be paid directly.
Establishes a payment for patients unable to pay the estimated portion of bill upon discharge. Identifies and reports to manager patients with whom payment difficulties arose in the past.
Ensures completeness of pre-admission and admission information following through as needed to obtain and document missing information/signatures prior to patients admission date.
Checks for and identifies patients with histories of payment problems and informs supervisor of any found prior to patients admission date.
Accurately interprets insurance policy provisions and calculates self-pay portion of patients bill based on expected length of stay and services rendered so that final accounting of self-pay amount is within a reasonable variance from estimate.
Patiently clearly and accurately advises patient of self-pay obligations and estimate and ensures that patient signs acceptance of such obligation on the designated forms.
Collects self-pay monies in advance upon entry or at discharge according to cases where patient is unable to pay self-pay portion due upon discharge ensures that a mutually agreed upon payment agreement is documented and signed by all parties in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.
Selects and applies appropriate communications based on the age of the patient/customer.
Maintains knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements related to state and federal agencies such as Medicare Medicaid Tricare Veterans Administration and other demonstrates this knowledge by the accurately obtaining information and updating records to remain in compliance.
Collects and Controls cash receipts.
Collects patient deductible co-pays and non-covered patient charge amounts.
Maintains and balances cash drawer.
Prepares daily cash report and submits to Cashier with collected monies and copies of Relay
Account Report/Daily Deposit Reconciliation.
Determines the appropriate amount due from the patient through eligibility and insurance verification by evidence of the insurance card or in the event of no insurance follow Self-pay processes/policies.
Maintains control over cash payments so that receipts balance to cash drawer.
Accurately prepares deposit documentation and delivers deposits.
Operates and maintains assigned equipment and maintains work area.
Ensures that no damage or undue wear and tear occurs to assigned equipment due to failure to operate or maintain it in accordance with specifications.
Has demonstrated adequate knowledge and proficiency in using the patient financial services accounts receivables system (Paragon) and other supporting software.
Keeps assigned work areas neatly organized on a continuous basis.
Participates in hospital and departmental support activities requiring stand-by and re-call at times.
Performs miscellaneous duties as needed.
Functional Demands
Ability to work 12 hours shifts required day or night
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
Must be able to sit long periods of time
Work requires physical ability such as walking standing and bending
Must be able to talk and listen in order to communicate with patients
Must be able to read and write effectively
Exposure to blood body fluids and hazardous wastes is frequent and one must carry out universal precautions according to hospital policy
May be exposed to injury by irrational and disturbed patients patients with communicable diseases and/or potentially dangerous equipment
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