Full-Time Financial Counselor

Ashe Memorial Hospital•Jefferson, NC

About The Position

The Patient Financial Counselor estimates patients’ financial liability and provides financial advice and assistance regarding medical bills. The role involves professional interaction with patients and staff, promoting teamwork, and helping create a positive patient experience. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and requires no travel. Pay is commensurate with experience. The counselor reviews insurance eligibility and benefits, estimates patient out-of-pocket costs, arranges payments, researches outstanding accounts, and assists patients with charity care, denials, appeals, and other payment options. The role also involves coordination with hospital departments and outside agencies, processing certain claims, posting payments, keeping current with billing regulations, and maintaining confidentiality and compliance with hospital policies. A high school diploma or GED is required. Relevant post-high-school coursework or experience, cash management training, and specified billing and hospital business office experience are preferred; knowledge of third-party billing requirements is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Knowledge of third-party billing requirements.
Willingness to receive required vaccinations, unless an exemption is requested and approved.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow HIPAA and hospital privacy policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Post-high-school courses or experience in insurance billing and medical terminology.
Cash management training.
One year of experience in computerized third-party billing of facility and professional services.
Two years of previous hospital business office experience.
One year of experience with Meditech.

Responsibilities

Review insurance eligibility and apply benefits to estimate patient out-of-pocket costs for procedures and tests.
Arrange payments to help resolve patient accounts in a timely and efficient manner.
Coordinate with ancillary hospital departments, the Department of Social Services, collection agencies, and other agencies regarding estimates, patient billing, and third-party coverage.
Address delinquent patient balances, including referral to a collection agency when appropriate.
Research outstanding accounts and contact third-party payors until accounts are resolved to a zero balance.
Obtain financial data to process charity care applications.
Assist patients with denials, appeals, and other payment options.
Process claims for estates and bankruptcies.
Post payments and provide cashier backup when necessary.
Stay current on billing regulations, including HMO/PPO, Medicare, and Medicaid requirements.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and hospital privacy policies.
Support the hospital, promote a positive attitude, and follow dress and identification requirements.
Report actual or suspected violations of relevant policies, laws, or regulations through the specified compliance channels.