Financial Counselor

Guidehouse•Birmingham, AL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Counselor determines patient responsibility and eligibility for insurance and government benefit programs, and supports patients with financial matters during inpatient stays. The role reviews accounts for accurate plan codes, financial class, and patient type; verifies liability with appropriate agencies; negotiates flat rates when patients have no linkage to government programs; and explains financial responsibility to patients at bedside before discharge. The counselor establishes payment plans, documents arrangements in patient accounting systems, provides payment information and mailing envelopes, and collects amounts due when estimated patient liability exists. The role monitors Medicare and coinsurance days for in-house patients, reviews in-house Medicare accounts on the 1st and 15th of each month, updates eligibility details, and represents patients at Medicaid or SSI fair hearings and appeals. It works with Social Services and Case Management on inpatient admissions and discharges, retrieves inpatient census information to follow up with uninsured or underinsured patients, and obtains accurate insurance and financial details from patients, families, and physicians. The counselor documents payer and patient financial information in the hospital system, assists walk-in patients with account liquidation options, and communicates with coworkers, hospital staff, and management about account progress and issues. The position requires organization, prioritization, time management, independent follow-through, and consistently professional communication. The counselor must not suggest that a patient's debt will be written off to charity care before that determination is made. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at UAB Hospital. Travel is not required.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED, or at least 3 years of relevant experience in lieu of education.
1–3 years of prior relevant experience in financial counseling, social services, or healthcare-related customer service.
PC skills in a Windows environment.
Ability to initiate and follow through on projects and work independently.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Working knowledge or experience with Federal, State, and County eligibility programs.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to type 35–45 words per minute.
Computer, fax, and telephone etiquette.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Experience with medical terminology, data entry, prior admitting, entitlement, business office, or physician office work.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Healthcare background.
Knowledge of MS4.

Responsibilities

Determine patient responsibility and eligibility through insurance and Federal, State, and/or County government benefits.
Review accounts for proper plan codes, financial class, and patient type.
Contact appropriate agencies to verify assumptions of liability.
Negotiate flat rates for accounts where patients have no linkage to government programs.
Meet with patients at bedside and inform them of financial responsibility before discharge.
Set up payment plans before discharge, document arrangements in patient accounting systems, and provide patients with mailing envelopes and payment dates.
Collect monies from patients when estimated patient liability is due on an account.
Monitor Medicare and coinsurance days for in-house patients; review in-house Medicare accounts on the 1st and 15th of each month and update accounts with detailed eligibility information.
Represent patients at Medicaid or SSI fair hearings and appeals.
Interface with Social Services and Case Management regarding inpatient admissions and discharges.
Document payer and patient financial information in the hospital computer system.
Retrieve inpatient census patient information to follow up with uninsured or underinsured in-house patients.
Obtain complete and accurate patient, insurance, and financial information by communicating with patients, family members, and physicians.
Communicate daily with coworkers, hospital staff, and management about account progress and issues.
Use organization, prioritization, and time-management skills to complete daily processes.
Maintain open, positive, and professional oral and written communication.
Do not indicate or suggest that a patient will be relieved of debt through charity-care write-off before a determination is made.
Assist walk-in patients with account liquidation options.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
Personal and family sick time and company-paid holidays.
Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus.
Parental leave.
401(k) retirement plan.
Basic life and supplemental life insurance.
Health Savings Account and dental/vision and dependent-care Flexible Spending Accounts.
Short-term and long-term disability.
Tuition reimbursement, personal development, and learning opportunities.
Skills development and certifications.
Employee referral program.
Corporate-sponsored events and community outreach.
Emergency back-up childcare program.
Flexible benefits package.