Financial Advocate

American Addiction Centers•Greensboro, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Financial Advocate is responsible for calculating and providing patients with personalized estimates of their financial responsibility prior to service. This role involves clearly and accurately communicating patient liability, explaining concepts like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, and detailing how non-covered and out-of-network services affect out-of-pocket costs. The Financial Advocate also requests upfront payments for self-pay amounts and outstanding balances, establishes payment arrangements when applicable, and interviews uninsured patients to assess financial needs and identify assistance programs. This position requires coordinating with patients to complete necessary paperwork and applications, continuing follow-up efforts to secure funding sources, and initiating credit scoring to determine eligibility for programs like Medicaid and hospital-sponsored charity care. Collaboration with state social workers and/or outside eligibility vendors is essential to ensure proper completion of Medicaid applications and maximize funding. The role demands a strong understanding of insurance benefits, insurance companies, Marketplace options, and other payer sources, as well as educating offices and patients on organizational policies. The Financial Advocate coordinates with provider offices regarding scheduling based on funding needs and financial responsibility clarification, stays current on government funding regulations (especially Medicare and Medicaid), and adheres to internal charity care policies and federal regulations like 501R. All patient interactions must be HIPAA-compliant, including managing demographic data and documentation. This role involves collaboration with peers for uninsured patients or those concerned about costs, and serving consumers in various settings, including virtual, bedside, Emergency Department, clinic exam room, Urgent Care, consult space, or a Financial Resource Specialist office.

Requirements

High School Graduate, or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED) or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED).
Typically requires 2 years of experience in Patient Access, health care, insurance industry, or in a customer service setting.
Ability to communicate clearly and proactively to management about issues involving customer service and process improvement opportunities.
Ability to articulate explanations of HIPAA and EMTALA regulations as they relate to all patient interactions within the operational flow involving the Financial Advocate, either virtually or in person.
Has solid knowledge of how various types of insurances operate related to denials and appeals processes.
Basic medical coding knowledge.
Understanding of insurances, billing and denials
Ability to use a combination of scripted notes and clear, written communication when documenting in patients’ accounts.

Nice To Haves

None Required.

Responsibilities

Calculates and provides patients with personalized estimates of their financial responsibility based on their insurance coverage prior to service.
Communicates patient liability clearly and accurately while adequately explaining concepts such as deductibles, coinsurance, and/or copayments and how they may affect the cost of care.
Explains how non-covered and out-of-network services factor into the out-of-pocket cost.
Requests upfront payment toward self-pay amounts, including estimated out-of-pocket costs and outstanding previous balances.
Establishes payment arrangements in advance of scheduled services when applicable, communicating due dates and the amount of each installment.
Interviews uninsured patients to assess for qualifying financial needs.
Identifies available assistance programs and coordinates with patient to complete paperwork and applications for any potential coverage(s).
Continues follow-up efforts to obtain a funding source for patient’s health services.
Initiates credit scoring to determine each patient’s eligibility for Medicaid, hospital-sponsored charity care, and other programs through a comprehensive patient interview.
Works in conjunction with state social worker and/or outside eligibility vendor to assist in the appropriate completion of Medicaid applications, ensuring this funding source is maximized based on patients’ eligibility.
Demonstrates working knowledge of insurance benefits, insurance companies, and Marketplace insurance options, and stays informed of other payer sources entering the markets.
Educates physician office/patient on the organization’s applicable policies such as Financial Assistance Policy, Patient Financial Responsibility, Non-Covered Services, and Deferral of Care.
Coordinates with provider office to determine scheduling options based on the need to secure funding and clarify patient’s financial responsibility.
Stays current on regulations and eligibility requirements for government funding, especially Medicare and Medicaid.
Understands and complies with all internal charity care policies and processes.
Understands, complies with, and can articulate federal regulations around 501R.
Performs in a HIPAA-compliant manner with all pertinent patient interviews, including management of demographic data, topics discussed, and actions taken.
Collaborates with peers in the operational flow for uninsured patients or patients that are concerned about costs for upcoming services.
Serves consumers in various settings, including virtual, bedside, Emergency Department room, clinic exam room, Urgent Care, consult space, or a Financial Resource Specialist office.

Benefits

Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
Competitive compensation
Generous retirement offerings
Programs that invest in your career development
Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program