Financial Counselor I

Emory Healthcare•Tucker, GA

6d•$19 - $23

About The Position

The Financial Counselor I administers and communicates financial policies and financial screening processes to patients, their families, and legal guardians in an Emory Clinic specialty. The role helps secure reimbursement by identifying and collecting patient liabilities upfront, financially clearing patients before visits, and providing counseling and payment arrangements for balances not covered by insurance or for patients without coverage. This position supports staff and patients with financial arrangements, account inquiries, reconciliations, and extensive auditing. It serves as a liaison between Patient Financial Services and clinic operations to resolve billing and customer-satisfaction inquiries, performs insurance eligibility and benefits verification, monitors accounts to support timely claim payment, and prepares cost estimates in accordance with prepayment guidelines. The counselor identifies patients who may need early financial counseling and communicates outcomes to supervisors and clinic managers. The role may also provide counseling to satellite clinics for assigned sections. The position requires maintaining patient confidentiality and complying with HIPAA and Emory Healthcare compliance guidelines. The employee must provide compassionate, empathetic customer service, manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, maintain attention to detail, and follow up on accounts in a timely manner. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, and at least 3 years of healthcare experience; equivalent combinations of education and experience are also accepted.
Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and other managed-care payors, including HMO and PPO plans.
Ability to multitask efficiently in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.
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.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and organizational compliance guidelines.

Responsibilities

Administer, understand, and communicate financial policies and financial screening processes to patients, families, and legal guardians.
Identify and collect patient liabilities upfront to secure maximum reimbursement.
Assist staff and patients with financial arrangements, account inquiries, account reconciliations, and account auditing.
Liaise between Patient Financial Services and clinic operations to resolve billing and customer-satisfaction inquiries in a timely manner.
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 support timely claim payment.
Complete cost estimates and follow prepayment guidelines.
Identify patients who need early financial counseling and communicate outcomes to supervisors and clinic managers in writing and verbally.
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and Emory Healthcare compliance guidelines.
Collect payment or establish payment arrangements 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.
Provide compassionate and empathetic customer service focused on account resolution.
Prioritize daily work and follow up on accounts in a timely manner.
Perform other related duties as required or assigned.