Financial Counselor I

Stanford Health Care•Stanford, CA

1d•$34 - $39•Hybrid

About The Position

The Financial Counselor Level 1 screens uninsured and underinsured patients at bedside and before or after services to identify government or charity programs that may cover medical expenses. The role conducts patient financial interviews, including reviewing hospital charges, insurance status, and financial resources. It may include completing appropriate applications and following up diligently for approval. The counselor communicates professionally with patients, case workers, social workers, hospital directors, executives, and other staff, and must handle multiple tasks, complex situations, and stress amid changing patient, family, and health-system needs. Employees are expected to develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance to Financial Counselor II through on-the-job and/or formal training. The position helps patients address financial needs in accordance with Stanford Health Care policies and procedures, determines financial clearance for visits or referrals, assesses case risk, estimates out-of-pocket costs, and supports point-of-service payments. It also performs the complete registration and admitting process. The role is based at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, California, and is listed as hybrid, full-time, day shift, eight-hour schedule.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
At least 1 year of progressive responsibility in a hospital or clinic financial counseling role.
Knowledge of pre-authorizations and reimbursement regulations related to Medicare, Medi-Cal, and children’s health programs.
Previous experience in a metrics-based environment with financial counseling goals, such as screening rates and collection goals.
Strong knowledge of eligibility and enrollment requirements for Medicare, Medi-Cal, Workers’ Compensation, managed care plans (HMO, PPO, POS, etc.), and children’s health programs (CCS, GHPP, Healthy Families, etc.).
Experience resolving issues in financial reimbursement billing, utilization management, and government programs.
Prior experience calculating, communicating, and educating patients about their financial responsibilities.
Demonstrated communication, customer relations, and organizational skills.
Ability to multitask with attention to detail, work efficiently, problem-solve independently, and work well in a team environment.
Proficiency, as applicable, with Epic, insurance websites, point-of-service payment systems, and web-based screening tools.
Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English and Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Find solutions to patient financial needs in accordance with Stanford Health Care policies and procedures.
Determine financial clearance for patient visits or referrals before or at the time of service; check eligibility and benefits and confirm authorization requirements have been met.
Assess risk for cases that are not financially cleared or secured before service; clear low-risk cases and escalate high-risk cases to a coordinator or manager.
Contact patients about steps needed to clear appointments, including collecting deposits for their financially responsible portion.
Estimate patients’ out-of-pocket costs quickly and accurately, prepare payment documents, and securely handle and accurately record payments collected at point of service.
Use problem-solving skills to address the concerns and needs of patients served by Financial Counselors.
Communicate professionally, orally and in writing, with patients, case workers, social workers, hospital directors, executives, and other stakeholders.
Maintain professional communication with Patient Financial Clearance and Patient Access Services staff, medical center staff, physicians, guests, and patients by telephone or in person.
Meet weekly individual productivity goals and standards while following priorities set by the Team Manager or Coordinator(s).
Perform other duties as assigned by the unit team manager or other Patient Financial Clearance management personnel.
Perform the complete registration and admitting process from start to finish.