Financial Counselor I

Community Health Systems•Las Cruces, NM

About The Position

The Financial Counselor I is responsible for ensuring correct processing of patient accounts and coordinating all facets for patient accounts, credits and collections. This role ensures duties are completed accurately and timely while acting as a team player for optimum flow and excellent patient account care. The Financial Counselor I may also be responsible for verifying insurance and providing financial counseling to assist with self-pay accounts, as well as billing and collection of insurance and self-pay accounts. Essential Functions Establishes payment arrangements according to departmental procedures. Accurately completes financial assistance applications with patients. Completes adjustment request and monitors requested adjustments to ensure accuracy of patient accounts. Reviews daily admission and missed opportunity report to ensure all accounts have a payment source and financial counseling. Requests appropriate actions from other departmental areas as needed. Answers patient questions regarding account and insurance information. Returns all patient calls in a timely manner. Monitors assigned accounts to ensure adherence to established payment program. Establishes and maintains communication with patient prior to visit, in-house and after discharge to facility POS collections and account management. Documents all actions/activity which impacts and account in the HMS/Star system using the correct comment type. Identifies patient's problems and resolves timely. Completes any research necessary to resolve issue. Demonstrates proficient office telephone and e-mail etiquette. Follows departmental procedures when requesting refunds. Assists in retrieving voice mail from the department's customer service telephone lines. Communicates effectively. Establishes and maintains two way communication with peers, staff, leaders, and administration. Follows through on problems using the appropriate chain of command. Cooperates well with peers and supports group decisions. Communicates appropriate information to lead staff member, supervisor, manager or director in a timely manner. Completes required education in a timely manner. Performs other duties as assigned. Complies with all policies and standards.

Requirements

Other completion of two years of college level classes required
1-3 years of customer service or clerical office experience required
Good analytical skills
Excellent customer service and organizational skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
Strong decision-making, problem solving, and organization skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
Ability to communicate verbally in person, on the phone, and in writing in a clear, concise and professional manner.
Working knowledge of Federal and State insurance regulations and payer regulations
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

Nice To Haves

Associate Degree preferred
Bachelor's Degree preferred
2-4 years registration/insurance verification experience in an acute care hospital or physician practice group preferred

Responsibilities

Establishes payment arrangements according to departmental procedures.
Accurately completes financial assistance applications with patients.
Completes adjustment request and monitors requested adjustments to ensure accuracy of patient accounts.
Reviews daily admission and missed opportunity report to ensure all accounts have a payment source and financial counseling.
Requests appropriate actions from other departmental areas as needed.
Answers patient questions regarding account and insurance information.
Returns all patient calls in a timely manner.
Monitors assigned accounts to ensure adherence to established payment program.
Establishes and maintains communication with patient prior to visit, in-house and after discharge to facility POS collections and account management.
Documents all actions/activity which impacts and account in the HMS/Star system using the correct comment type.
Identifies patient's problems and resolves timely.
Completes any research necessary to resolve issue.
Demonstrates proficient office telephone and e-mail etiquette.
Follows departmental procedures when requesting refunds.
Assists in retrieving voice mail from the department's customer service telephone lines.
Communicates effectively.
Establishes and maintains two way communication with peers, staff, leaders, and administration.
Follows through on problems using the appropriate chain of command.
Cooperates well with peers and supports group decisions.
Communicates appropriate information to lead staff member, supervisor, manager or director in a timely manner.
Completes required education in a timely manner.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Complies with all policies and standards.