Financial Counselor

Parkland Health

About The Position

The Financial Counselor interviews patients when they enter care to identify appropriate funding programs, begin financial eligibility determinations, and ensure that patients are screened and qualified for available assistance. The role screens demographic and financial documents, verifies insurance and benefits, helps patients complete public funding applications and certification processes, communicates financial responsibilities, collects and records payments, performs registration functions, and monitors assigned accounts through application, certification, denial, or review. The position also tracks productivity, maintains complete and accurate account documentation, and works with patients, families, funding agencies, insurers, clinical staff, other Financial Counselors, and management. The Financial Counselor supports department and Parkland goals by recommending process improvements, maintaining knowledge of applicable rules and regulations, and incorporating developments in the field into current work practices.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of experience determining financial eligibility for government, program, or public funding, or patient assistance programs in a physician or hospital business office setting.
Equivalent combinations of education and/or experience may be accepted in lieu of the stated education and/or experience.
Ability to interview patients for financial eligibility determination.
Working knowledge of personal computers and standard office equipment.
Basic knowledge of medical software.
Basic knowledge of public assistance programs and required forms.
Knowledge of third-party payors and insurance verification procedures, and understanding of managed care and insurance contractual arrangements.
Detail orientation, basic mathematical skills, and analytical ability to resolve financial issues involving third-party payors, physicians, patients, and the system.
Positive demeanor; good verbal and written communication skills; and a professional appearance and approach.
Ability to handle potentially stressful situations and multiple tasks simultaneously, including instructing and counseling patients about payment policies and public assistance programs.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, government entities, insurance companies, and Parkland staff.
Ability to solve problems within established policies and procedures.
Ability to successfully complete additional job-related training when offered.

Nice To Haves

Basic knowledge of medical terminology.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Interview patients at entry to advise them of appropriate funding programs, begin eligibility determinations, and ensure patients are screened for assistance.
Screen patient demographic and financial documentation to identify funding programs and instruct eligible patients on how to receive benefits.
Verify and obtain insurance benefits, and forward referrals and pre-certifications to clinical staff.
Assist patients with public funding applications and certification processes, ensuring applications are complete, deadlines are met, and the process is expedited before discharge.
Arrange and encourage applicants to keep appointments needed to complete financial assistance processes.
Explain patients’ financial responsibilities, collect co-pays and unpaid balances, and provide billing information as needed.
Enter payments into the computer system, balance the cash drawer at the end of each day, and document actions in the hospital accounting system.
Assign appropriate account coverage, including outside agencies when appropriate, and document actions in the hospital accounting system.
Perform registration functions, including verifying patient identification, demographics, and third-party payors; distribute and explain required forms and obtain signatures and dates.
Attach appropriate coverage, prioritize filing order, and document registration and account actions in the hospital accounting system.
Track productivity and provide cumulative reports daily, weekly, or monthly.
Monitor assigned accounts until application, certification, denial, or review is complete and coverage is correctly attached and prioritized for billing.
Maintain positive working relationships with agencies, funding programs, patients, insurers, government entities, clinical personnel, colleagues, and management.
Promote teamwork, cooperation, a positive public image, and patient compliance with state and federal agencies.
Identify opportunities to improve work processes and customer satisfaction; make recommendations to a supervisor, implement changes, and monitor results as appropriate.
Stay current with developments and trends in the field through seminars, workshops, professional journals, professional organizations, or maintaining certification or licensure.
Maintain knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines; develop effective internal controls and seek guidance as needed.