Job Summary

The Financial Counselor I is responsible for ensuring correct processing of patient accounts and coordinating all facets for patient accounts, credits and collections. This role ensures duties are completed accurately and timely while acting as a team player for optimum flow and excellent patient account care. The Financial Counselor I may also be responsible for verifying insurance and providing financial counseling to assist with self-pay accounts, as well as billing and collection of insurance and self-pay accounts.

Essential Functions

• Establishes payment arrangements according to departmental procedures.

• Accurately completes financial assistance applications with patients.

• Completes adjustment request and monitors requested adjustments to ensure accuracy of patient accounts.

• Reviews daily admission and missed opportunity report to ensure all accounts have a payment source and financial counseling.

• Requests appropriate actions from other departmental areas as needed.

• Answers patient questions regarding account and insurance information. Returns all patient calls in a timely manner.

• Monitors assigned accounts to ensure adherence to established payment program.

• Establishes and maintains communication with patient prior to visit, in-house and after discharge to facility POS collections and account management.

• Documents all actions/activity which impacts and account in the HMS/Star system using the correct comment type.

• Identifies patient's problems and resolves timely. Completes any research necessary to resolve issue.

• Demonstrates proficient office telephone and e-mail etiquette.

• Follows departmental procedures when requesting refunds.

• Assists in retrieving voice mail from the department's customer service telephone lines. Communicates effectively.

• Establishes and maintains two way communication with peers, staff, leaders, and administration.

• Follows through on problems using the appropriate chain of command.

• Cooperates well with peers and supports group decisions.

• Communicates appropriate information to lead staff member, supervisor, manager or director in a timely manner.

• Completes required education in a timely manner.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Other completion of two years of college level classes required

• Associate Degree preferred

• Bachelor's Degree preferred

• 1-3 years of customer service or clerical office experience required

• 2-4 years registration/insurance verification experience in an acute care hospital or physician practice group preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good analytical skills

• Excellent customer service and organizational skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

• Strong decision-making, problem solving, and organization skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to communicate verbally in person, on the phone, and in writing in a clear, concise and professional manner.

• Working knowledge of Federal and State insurance regulations and payer regulations

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

This organization does not discriminate in any way to deprive any person of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the status of any employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, or military or uniformed services, in accordance with all applicable governmental laws and regulations. In addition, the facility complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to: hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. If you are an applicant with a mental or physical disability who needs a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, contact the director of Human Resources at the facility to which you are seeking employment; Simply go to http://www.chs.net/serving-communities/locations/ to obtain the main telephone number of the facility and ask for Human Resources.