Financial Counselor

Ochsner Clinic Foundation•Baton Rouge, LA

About The Position

The Financial Counselor assists patients with billing inquiries across the organization, primarily face to face, and provides timely, accurate support throughout the patient care process. The role reviews patient bills, collects liability for upcoming procedures and outstanding balances, explains benefit coverage alternatives for medical and pharmaceutical services, secures authorizations, arranges fee payments, and provides coverage at other locations as needed. The Financial Counselor serves as a liaison among patients, providers, external departments, and other responsible parties to ensure charges and transactions are handled appropriately and account balances or discrepancies are resolved in a timely manner. The role provides estimates for upcoming procedures, explains patients’ financial responsibilities and available assistance options, and works to maintain a high level of patient satisfaction. The position also requires compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and the organization’s Compliance & Privacy Program. This is a sedentary healthcare-setting role involving mostly sitting, with occasional walking or standing and occasional lifting or moving of up to 10 pounds. Although routine duties do not involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissue, potential exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous medications, or hazardous waste may occur.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 1 year of customer service, healthcare, or office experience.
Computer skills and dexterity for data entry and retrieval of patient information.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and professionally to people at varying levels.
Proficiency with Windows-style applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, role-specific software, and keyboarding.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to multitask and work effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Ability to remain calm and professional during high-pressure or stressful patient financial and medical conversations.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and make independent decisions.
Reliable transportation, as travel to other facilities may be required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Previous healthcare billing, collections, or customer service experience.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with account and service inquiries in person and through email, fax, mail, and phone.
Review patient bills and collect liability for upcoming procedures, residual balances, and past-due balances.
Discuss benefit coverage alternatives for medical and pharmaceutical services, available assistance options, and the financial impact of different alternatives.
Obtain authorizations promptly and provide accurate estimates for upcoming procedures.
Set up fee arrangements and discuss the importance of patients’ financial responsibility.
Act as a liaison among patients, providers, external departments, and other responsible parties to ensure charges and transactions are appropriately handled and account balances or discrepancies are resolved within the prescribed period.
Provide accurate, courteous service and resolve patient issues in a timely and efficient manner to support patient satisfaction.
Backfill for coverage at other locations as needed.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements, and ensure compliance.
Report known or suspected unethical or questionable conduct and patient or employee safety, privacy, or other compliance concerns.
Perform other related duties as required.