Financial Counselor (Sacramento) - Northern California Behavioral Health System

POSITION TITLE: Financial Counselor

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Business Office Manager

SCHEDULE BEING OFFERED:

• Monday-Thursday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
• Sunday: 2:30pm-9:00pm

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Financial Counselor is responsible for admission of patients including patient interviews, admitting forms, room assignments and some cashiering. Duties include facilitating information to respond to inquiries pertaining to admissions and billing questions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patient Admissions: Arranges patient admission to facility. Receives and interviews incoming patients or relatives to obtain pertinent data and verify insurance coverage. Types and processes necessary admission paperwork. Ensures timely communication of patient admission to other departments.
• Financial Counseling: Provides financial options to patients and authorized family members prior to admission. Assists in resolution of routine admitting inquiries. May also interface with medical staff for information required for patient admissions.
• Set up and record payments for patient services: Set up payment arrangement with self-pay patients. Collects co-payments when applicable.
• Supplemental Receptionist Coverage: Able to fill in to help the Reception Desk if needed, including answering and redirecting phone calls, greeting and providing callers or visitors with information, and duties related to this coverage as requested.

Requirements

Knowledge and Experience:

• High school degree or equivalent
• Two years of healthcare experience
• Two years of insurance verification experience
• Experience with Medi-Cal/Healthcare insurance verification and billing preferred.
• Current NCI equivalent as approved by the Chief Nursing Officer (or obtained within the first 30 days of hire).
• Knowledge of CPT/ICD-10 coding helpful.
• Thorough knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knows what a copay, coinsurance, deductible and an out-of-pocket maximum are
• Knows how these affect claim adjudication and patient responsibility
• Knows how to calculate patient’s estimated responsibility based on benefits and scheduled procedure(s) using Excel
• Knows how to read and interpret insurance benefits
• Current CPI Certification ( or obtained within first 30 days of hire)
• Current BLS Certification (or obtained within first 30 days of hire)

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of different insurance products such as HMO, PPO, and Medicare Advantage plans.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable talking to patients about their estimated balances and explaining benefits.
• Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Maintains confidentially of patients at all times.
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Excels in achieving and exceeding goals.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision: see details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Lift fifteen (15) pounds.

Benefits

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• 401(k)
• 3.5 Weeks Paid Time Off
• $25,000 Life insurance policy is provided at no charge to the employee

Pay Scale: $18.08-$22.84