Financial Counselor - Findlay, United States - Blanchard Valley Health System

Description

PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION

Provides support to patients and other departments with the day-to-day functions of the credit and collections department. The associate will maintain the highest confidentiality regarding patient records and maintaining compliancy and accurate documentation. Associate will utilize a team-based and patient focused approach to perform the job successfully.

The Financial counselor is responsible for HCAP, financial assistance program eligibility and post service collections for patients who have received services at the health system.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Duty 1. Ensures accuracy of patient responsibility and determines eligibility for Federal, State, and hospital financial assistance programs, Medicaid, and Marketplace insurance programs.
• Duty 2. Updates and evaluates accounts for financial class and insurance accuracy using applicable insurance verification tools prior to financial assistance determination. Handles all accounts in a compliant manner to contribute to organizational success, positive patient satisfaction and minimize bad debt expenses.
• Duty 3. Obtains complete and accurate patient information for processing Medicaid applications and financial assistance applications.
• Duty 4. Works to educate patients on Medicaid, Marketplace insurance programs, and financial assistance eligibility requirements and responds to telephone/in person traffic with patients, visitors, and other hospital personnel in a courteous and timely manner.
• Duty 5. Works to identify and manage accounts that is or could be eligible for Medicaid, Market place insurance, and financial assistance to help the patients as best as possible in accordance with established standard workflows and policies developed by Patient Financial Services and Revenue Cycle leadership
• Duty 6. Works with patients to establish future financial payment arrangements on accounts after Medicaid/insurance determination, and financial assistance determination has been made.
• Duty 7. Remains current on collection laws, Medicare/Medicaid laws, HCAP regulations and guidelines, third party funding requirements, and adheres to all requirements for compliancy.
• Duty 8. Completes daily reports to identify internal self-pay and Medicare patients who the potential to qualify for Medicaid, Marketplace, or any financial assistance programs. Meets with those patients during their stay to assist in any applicable application processes.
• Duty 9. Completes Medicaid processes in Cerner and follows through with any local agencies.
• Duty 10. Assures confidentiality of patient information. Maintains compliant documentation and records in accordance with federal and state regulations for patient account files. Accurately documents all account activity. Adheres to all HIPAA related privacy, security, and transaction & code set regulations in compliance with the federal guidelines
• Duty 11. Responds to telephone and other communication traffic promptly with a courteous manner. Relaying accurate information to the appropriate parties for A/R reduction and patient satisfaction.
• Duty 12. Responsible for having knowledge of all credit and collections functions, but not limited to estates, bankruptcy, adjustments, cash posting, credit balances, and transmitting of bad debt.
• Duty 13. Monitors, completes, and maintains appropriate productivity levels of assigned tasks in accordance with team standards.
• Duty 14. Responsible for having knowledge of Revenue Cycle functions to quickly identify next steps and assist patients accurately
• Duty 15. Regularly attends and actively participates in staff meetings, in-service, and continuing education programs as offered. This provides needed educational updates for compliancy and organizational changes in the healthcare industry.
• Duty 16. Collaborates with other departments and any third-party vendors to identify resolution of patient requests
• Duty 17. Assists in other duties and projects as needed assigned by the supervisor and/or manager.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school graduate or GED equivalent
• Certified Application Counselor (if not certified at time of hire, must become certified during the next testing window and maintain certification)
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft office products and Window PC functionality
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with positive oriented interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of Federal, State and county eligibility programs such as HCAP, 501-R, and Medicaid
• Positive service-oriented interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served on his/her assigned unit/department. The individual must demonstrate the knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. Possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patients status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirement relative to their age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as describe in the areas policies and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in any healthcare Revenue Cycle setting
• Medical terminology

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires a full range of body motion with intermittent bending, squatting, kneeling, and twisting. The associate must be able to sit for three hours, walk for one hour and stand for two hours per day. The associate must be able to lift 20 pounds. The individual must have excellent eye/hand coordination to operate the machines. This position requires corrected vision and hearing in the normal range.