Financial Counselor

ECU Health Medical Center•Greenville, NC

28d•$18 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Analyze financial, demographic and clinical information available to locate or assist a patient in finding an eligible payment source. Aggressively pursue collection of high dollar patient account balances. Evaluate and audit patient accounts pending Medicaid for approval or denial. Serve as a resource for Social Work and Discharge Planning. Perform all the duties of a Patient Counselor and Assistant Patient Counselors as required. Performs other related responsibilities as required or requested. Demonstrates service excellence.

Requirements

High School plus 2 years or more of formal training or education in Health Occupations, Business or related or Associate College Degree is required.
3 to 4 years previous collecting experience and working with the public is required. Such as Doctor's office Business Office or DSS.
One additional years of related experience may be substituted for one year of the required education with a maximum substitution of two years.

Responsibilities

Screen candidates making necessary room visits on self-pay and underinsured patients.
Determine eligibility and initiate referrals for Medicaid, various state agency programs, federal assistance or other third party payer.
Contact employers to ascertain health insurance or workers compensation benefits.
Establish patients overall financial ability to pay verifying real and personal assets.
Initiate verification and pre admission notification per payer requirement.
Communicate with patients to collect on the account starting in-house until third party coverage is found, payment arrangements are made, or account is referred to bad debt or charity write off.
Follow up with patients, representatives or caseworkers at DSS for pending status, dates of coverage or denial.
Notify DSS of outstanding balances reducing patient deductibles and insuring retroactive coverage dates.
Interpret Medicaid policy overturning or appealing Department of Social Service denials.
Verify payer source, available covered days and reserves to assisting in the placement of patients into a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Assist walk in patients or legal representatives.
Initiate phone calls or handle incoming calls as necessary.
Perform duties including those of a PC I or Assistant PC.
Performs in accordance with accepted procedure and responds to special requests by management in a timely and accurate manner.
Adheres to the policies and procedures.
Uses tact and courtesy in all interactions including but not limited to staff, patients and payers.
Promotes a positive image and supports management in goals and objectives.
Handles inquiries and complaints discreetly and effectively.