Financial Counselor I

Emory Healthcare•Tucker, GA

6d•$19 - $23

About The Position

Responsible for administering, understanding, and communicating financial policies and financial screening processes to patients, their families, and legal guardians in an Emory Clinic, Inc. clinical specialty. The role supports maximum reimbursement by identifying and collecting patient liabilities up front and financially clearing patients before visits through payment collection or insurance eligibility determination. The Financial Counselor serves as a resource for staff and patients who need financial arrangements, account inquiries, or account reconciliations, including extensive auditing. The role acts as a liaison between Patient Financial Services (PFS) and clinic operations to resolve billing and customer-satisfaction inquiries promptly. It also performs insurance eligibility and benefits verification, monitors in-house accounts to improve revenue and timely claims payment, prepares cost estimates, and follows pre-payment guidelines. The position identifies patients needing early financial counseling and coordinates outcomes with supervisors and clinic managers through written and verbal communication. It maintains patient confidentiality and follows HIPAA and Emory Healthcare compliance guidelines. The counselor collects payment or arranges payment for unpaid balances not covered by third-party insurance or for patients without coverage, and provides financial counseling to assigned satellite clinics when required. The role requires multitasking in a fast-paced environment, attention to detail, compassion and empathy in customer service, account-resolution focus, strong organization and time management, and the ability to interact effectively with internal and external customers at all levels. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and at least 3 years of healthcare experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and other managed-care payors, including HMO and PPO plans.
Ability to multitask efficiently in a fast-paced environment and strong attention to detail.
Excellent customer service skills, including compassion and empathy, with a focus on account resolution.
Organizational and time-management skills to prioritize daily work and follow up on accounts promptly.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact successfully with internal and external customers at all levels.

Responsibilities

Administer, understand, and communicate financial policies and screening processes to patients, families, and legal guardians.
Identify and collect patient liabilities up front to support maximum reimbursement.
Serve as a resource for staff and patients regarding financial arrangements, account inquiries, and account reconciliations, including extensive auditing.
Liaise between PFS and clinic operations to resolve billing and customer-satisfaction inquiries promptly.
Perform insurance eligibility and benefits verification.
Apply knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, third-party carriers, referrals, and precertification procedures.
Monitor in-house accounts to improve revenue and ensure timely payment of claims.
Prepare cost estimates and follow pre-payment guidelines.
Identify patients requiring early financial counseling and coordinate outcomes with supervisors and clinic managers through written and verbal communication.
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and Emory Healthcare compliance guidelines.
Collect payment or arrange payment for balances not covered by third-party insurance or for patients without coverage.
Financially clear patients before visits by collecting payment or determining insurance eligibility.
Provide financial counseling to satellite clinics for assigned sections when required.
Perform other related duties as required or assigned.