PFS Financial Counselor

POSITION: Financial Counselor

PAY RANGE: Starting at $21.00, based on experience

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time

BENEFITS AND PERKS:

• Competitive Compensation Package
• Comprehensive Benefit Package
• 100% Retirement Match up to 6% (403b)
• Flexible Spending with Employer Deposit
• Service Awards and Recognition Programs
• 100% Paid Tuition Assistance (for qualified employees)
• Employer Provided Training Programs
• Community Orientation: Paid by McKenzie Health
• Child Care Subsidy Program
• Options available for continuing education, relocation assistance, housing
• Continuing education paid or reimbursed
• Certain Branded clothing provided
• McKenzie Health Supports Work-Life Balance

Financial Counselor

Position Description:

Under the direction of the Patient Financial Services (PFS) Patient Access Supervisor, the Financial Counselor is responsible for providing patients with a positive financial experience by helping patients navigate, understand insurance benefits, and potential financial liability. Financial Counselors are the patient’s point of contact for financial assistance questions. The Financial Counselor collects payments, sets up payment arrangements as appropriate, creates estimates, advises patients in person and over the phone on their insurance benefits and coverage, and in some cases, assesses patient referrals for appropriateness. The Financial Counselor assists patients with eligibility for government programs, McKenzie Health’s financial assistance program, and other options for managing high medical liabilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Serves as the point of contact for all financial assistance related questions.
• Communicates with patients to identify and understand financial, social, and medical histories and other relevant patient information.
• Gathers all relevant information required to process financial assistance requests; including but not limited to collaborating with providers on treatment plans, best practices, and related necessary medical opinions.
• Documents all communication and follow up in the EMR and sends written confirmation to patient regarding payment arrangements, etc. as applicable.
• Assesses the current financial situation of patients through the verification of patient insurance benefits; serving as the technical expert in confirming patients benefit coverage and hospital reimbursement:
  • Determine the patient’s financial ability to pay and explain insurance coverage and benefits to the patient.
  • Initiate the financial screening process as appropriate to evaluate eligibility for assistance programs. Assist the patient in completing financial statements and gathering supporting financial documentation.
  • Complete the referral pattern for patients with financial risk.
• Determine eligibility for care at MH by assessing patient eligibility for Medical Assistance, Emergency Medical Assistance, Community Programs, and Government Programs:
  • Assess and offer payment alternatives which may include prepayment for elective care and applying for MH’s financial assistance program.
  • Identify eligible financial programming options and assist in completing all necessary documentation for specific federal, state, or MH financial assistance programs.
  • With provider involvement, determine urgency of scheduled care for patients with large financial liabilities resulting in either a decision to proceed, hold, reschedule, etc.
• Explain MH’s payment policy to patients if a program is not available to assist with payment.
• Calculate and explain any patient’s liability before or at the time of service.
• Counsel patients on out-of-pocket liabilities and collect deductibles, pre-payments, and outstanding balances following established collection procedures; or alternatively, create a payment plan with the patient and document the agreement appropriately.
• If unable to establish acceptable payment arrangements for elective procedures, inform provider and patient that services will be rescheduled or canceled.
• Communicate financial coverage status and applicable financial decisions with all appropriate parties: patient, family, referring clinicians, and MCHS clinicians.
• Assists with the maintenance of self-pay accounts, initiates collection procedures when appropriate and sends out letters to patients regarding the status of the accounts; places accounts in the financial class needed before the account goes to collections if patients do not respond to calls and letters.
• Pursues and participates in education opportunities to remain current with changes in the Healthcare industry.
• Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a team to facilitate the department’s ability to meet its goals and objectives.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to insure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
• Attends on-site/off-site community engagement activities and on-site/off-site clinic events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Nothing in this job description restricts MH ability to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities of this job at any time. MH does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Critical features of this job have been described; those features may be changed at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons deemed appropriate by MH.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing, bending and reaching.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent organization and time management skills along with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong collaborator
• Ability to learn quickly, build and maintain long term relationships and work with minimal supervision.
• Proficient computing skills.
• High-level of accuracy and attention to detail, flexibility, and ability to attend to competing priorities in an effective and timely way and prioritize effectively in team environment.
• Must be able to pass a background check and drug screening.

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma / GED Required
• Associate degree preferred.
• Two years’ experience in healthcare Revenue Cycle preferred.
• Experience in providing an elevated level of customer service.

Licenses/Certifications:

• CAC certification preferred or obtained within 3 months of employment.

NON-DESCRIMINATION STATEMENT

It is the policy of McKenzie Health not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.