Financial Counselor

ECU Health Medical Center•Greenville, NC

3d•$18 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Analyze patients’ financial, demographic, and clinical information to identify or help patients find eligible payment sources. Pursue collection of high-dollar patient account balances and evaluate and audit patient accounts pending Medicaid approval or denial. Serve as a resource for Social Work and Discharge Planning, perform Patient Counselor and Assistant Patient Counselor duties as needed, and carry out other related responsibilities. Demonstrate service excellence. The role screens self-pay and underinsured patients, determines eligibility for public assistance and other third-party payers, verifies financial ability to pay, and initiates payer-required verification and pre-admission notifications. It communicates with patients about account balances and follows up with patients, representatives, caseworkers, and the Department of Social Services on pending coverage, denials, and outstanding balances. The position also verifies coverage information to support placement in nursing homes or assisted living facilities and assists walk-in patients and legal representatives. The position is based onsite in Greenville, North Carolina, and is scheduled Monday through Friday on a full-time day shift.

Requirements

High school education plus at least two years of formal training or education in Health Occupations, Business, or a related field, or an associate college degree.
Three to four years of previous collecting experience and experience working with the public, such as in a doctor’s office, business office, or DSS.
One additional year of related experience may substitute for one year of required education, up to a maximum substitution of two years.

Responsibilities

Screen self-pay and underinsured patients, including making necessary room visits.
Determine eligibility and initiate referrals for Medicaid, state agency programs, federal assistance, and other third-party payers.
Contact employers to determine health insurance or workers’ compensation benefits.
Assess patients’ overall ability to pay by verifying real and personal assets.
Initiate verification and pre-admission notification as required by payers.
Collect patient account balances from the time patients are in-house until third-party coverage is found, payment arrangements are made, or the account is referred for bad debt or charity write-off.
Follow up with patients, representatives, and DSS caseworkers regarding pending status, coverage dates, or denials.
Notify DSS of outstanding balances to reduce patient deductibles and ensure retroactive coverage dates.
Interpret Medicaid policy and overturn or appeal Department of Social Services denials.
Verify payer source, available covered days, and reserves to assist with placement in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Assist walk-in patients and legal representatives; initiate and receive phone calls as needed.
Perform duties of a Patient Counselor or Assistant Patient Counselor as required.
Follow accepted procedures and respond to management’s special requests in a timely and accurate manner.
Adhere to policies and procedures; interact tactfully and courteously with staff, patients, and payers.
Promote a positive image, support management goals and objectives, and handle inquiries and complaints discreetly and effectively.
Perform other related responsibilities as required or requested and demonstrate service excellence.