Financial Counselor (Santa Rosa) - Northern California Behavioral Health System

POSITION TITLE: Financial Counselor

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Director of Business Office

Pay: $23.50-$27.50/hour

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Financial Counselor will work closely with all members of the Revenue Cycle Team, Patient Access, Patient Accounts, and Case Management including case managers and social workers. Financial Counselors will also collaborate with nursing units,  physicians and their staff, insurance companies, attorneys and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Financial Counselor is responsible for admission of patients including patient interviews, and some cashiering. Duties include facilitating information to respond to inquiries pertaining to admissions and billing questions. Responsible for the coordination of all credit and collection procedures on the front end, assessing and rapid resolution of self-pay account balances, assessment of all private pay accounts, and verifying insurance and other governmental programs for inpatient and outpatient accounts. Financial Counselors are an integral part of the Revenue Cycle Team and a key component of Patient Access. Responsible for assisting with decreasing denials, increasing reimbursements, and being pro-active in assessing disposition of high dollar accounts.

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.

·         Maintain patient valuables:  Collect monies and accept patient valuables for safekeeping for patients during his or her stay at the hospital.

·         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.

·         Knowledge of Third-Party payers, Medi-Cal TAR processes, billing requirements, and reimbursement methods

·         Knowledge of Medical Terminology

·         Thorough understanding of charity care processing, federal poverty guidelines and indigent criteria

·         Timely reporting of appropriate accounts is essential.

·         Ability to understand charge description master, provide price estimates, analyze and work daily, weekly and monthly reports.

·         Excellent Communication Skills

·         Professional Appearance

·         Good PC Software Skills

·         Must work independently and maintain workflow.

·         Knowledge of multi-registration and front-end processing.

·         Service Excellence

·         Handle incoming calls professionally and timely.

·         Demonstrate service and commitment in working with peers, management team and other hospital staff.

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge and Experience:

• High school degree or equivalent.
• Knowledge of CPT/ICD-10 coding helpful. Demonstrated knowledge of medical terminology and insurance billing.
• Minimum of two years of healthcare billing and insurance knowledge

Skills and Abilities:

• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times.
• Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.)
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• 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 up to fifteen (15) pounds.

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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