Financial Counselor - Patient Financial Services in Mountain Home, Arkansas at Baxter Health

FINANCIAL COUNSELOR SUMMARY:

The Patient Financial Counselor is responsible for assisting all our patients in resolving any outstanding balances, acting as a patient liaison between hospital departments, physicians’ office, etc., and serving as backup cashier as needed.

FINANCIAL COUNSELOR JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience: 12 to 18 months related healthcare and/or customer service.

Prefered Experience: The ability to make outbound phone calls requesting payment from customers.

Other:

Must be proficient with technology, comfortable learning and using several hospital specific computer based programs

Ability to communicate effectively by telephone and in person

Ability to thoroughly organize and prioritize work load to meet monthly production goals

Ability to handle a variety of work tasks while remaining detail oriented; able to fill out legal documents and follow policy standards

Excellent follow through skills, ensuring proper documentation is gathered when necessary

Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid and all third party insurance in order to review accounts and be able to explain benefits in a way that patients have a clear understanding

Ability to run insurance eligibility, input credit card payments, and accurately input data

Ability to act professionally and respectfully in all customer service situations

Proven ability to think critically and rationally under stress while maintaining a positive attitude

Ability to work independently with little supervision

Financial Counselor Responsibilities:

1. Review patient payments, adjustments and charges and/or accuracy and explain insurance deductibles and contractual adjustments, and answer other inquiries from patients and family members regarding insurance reimbursement.
2. Contact patients as necessary to facilitate the timely payment of past due charges or arrange appropriate payment plans.
3. Identify and assist low income patients in completing a financial statement and make determination as to the amount of assistance they qualify for.
4. Assist patients and/or family members in making a loan application through the bank for services received.
5. Consistently review delinquency cases, identifying special circumstances affecting payment delays, following up with appropriate parties and making timely recommendation for appropriate disposition (i.e., referral to collection agency, other legal action or write off).
6. File claims as necessary with the County Clerk’s office, to recover monies tied up in probate.
7. Prepare accurate and timely reports and statistical data as requested.
8. Appropriately and courteously answer telephone in a timely manner.
9. Assist employees in signing up for payroll deductions, accurately maintaining a record of employee deductions, as applicable.
10. Monitor long-term payment accounts to ensure payments are made as agreed.
11. Work closely with the Patient Financial Counseling Team Leader and co-workers to maximize the efficiency and productivity of the department.
12. Consistently follow confidentiality guidelines regarding employees, patients and hospital related matters.
13. Adhere to and demonstrate an understanding of the hospital’s fire, disaster and safety policies and procedures.
14. Positively represent Patient Financial Services and the hospital by displaying a cheerful, positive behavior toward the department, patients/family members and visitors at all times.
15. Maintain attendance and punctuality record, which is within hospital and/or department policy guidelines.
16. Adhere to dress code which is acceptable to the hospital and appropriate for an office, maintaining a professional and well-groomed appearance at all times.
17. Demonstrate willingness to meet deadlines and complete assignments in a timely manner, following up on matters requiring additional attention.
18. Demonstrate team effort within the department and organization at all times.
19. Performs other related duties as assigned

Financial Councelor Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without an accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to perform the following: Must have the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to solve problems and make decisions. Spend eight hours or more in front of computer, monitor or similar screen utilizing keyboard and/or mouse, daily. Ability to stand and walk, bend, squat and twist, and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds with proper body mechanics. Must be able to handle critical and highly stressful situations with efficiency and composure.

Financial Counselor Work Environment:

Office setting, within a hospital environment