Financial Counselor

Down East Community Hospital•Machias, ME

About The Position

To manage the self-pay component of Accounts Receivable (AR) by collecting money owed and making payment arrangements as applicable. This role involves administering Point of Service Collections, assisting with free care and reduced care applications, and collecting monies owed from patients or obtaining appropriate insurance information. The Financial Counselor will contact private pay patients within 10 days of discharge, enter insurance information, and refer accounts to the PFS department for billing. Responsibilities include arranging payments, setting up payment arrangements, and qualifying patients for federal, state, or local benefits. The role also involves researching and communicating special circumstances affecting delayed payments, maintaining self-pay account aging with a focus on accounts less than 90 days old, and identifying/calculating collectible amounts. The Financial Counselor will identify delinquent accounts and recommend dispositions, stay informed of relevant statutes and regulations, and provide estimates to patients as required by the "No Surprises Act". Additionally, the role involves identifying and referring patients requesting payment arrangements to Carepayment, maintaining a list of appropriate contacts, and performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school graduate, college degree, or 3 years appropriate work experience that would indicate a high level of communication skills and organizational management ability
Familiarity with statutes and regulations regarding the collection of accounts
Ability to work independently

Nice To Haves

Information technology experience is helpful

Responsibilities

Administer Point of Service Collections as defined by policy
Refer patients to hospital designated payment administrator as appropriate
Assist with the processing of free care and reduced care applications
Collect monies owed from patients or obtain appropriate insurance information to ensure timely recovery of outstanding accounts receivable
Contact all private pay patients within 10 days of discharge
Enter appropriate insurance information if obtained and refer account to PFS department for billing
Arrange payment of all moneys due for services rendered, including setting up payment arrangements and qualifying patients for federal, state, or local benefits
Research, identify, and communicate any special circumstances affecting delayed payment of accounts to PFS follow-up staff for correction
Maintain self-pay account aging with an emphasis on resolution of accounts less than 90 days old
Identify and calculate collectible amounts as identified by policy
Identify delinquent accounts, including accounts with payment arrangements, and make recommendations for their disposition (i.e., referral to collection agencies, write-off, etc.)
Stay informed of any statutes and regulations that could affect collection of receivables (i.e. collection regulations, etc.)
Identify and provide estimates to patients as required by law per the “No Surprises Act”
Identify and refer patients requesting payment arrangements to Carepayment and communicate to Carepayment on a regular basis
Maintain a list of appropriate contacts and contact information
Perform other duties as assigned and overtime as requested and/or required