Temporary - Financial Counselor

Salinas Valley Health•Salinas, CA

About The Position

The Temporary Financial Counselor works under the supervision of the Business Services Coordinator in Patient Financial Services. The role evaluates patients’ ability to pay, arranges payment schedules, follows up on unpaid accounts, and determines when collection efforts have been exhausted. It also helps patients find alternative resources to finance hospitalization and provides options for program coverage, including assistance with applications. The position handles payments for pre-registered, in-house, and discharged patients; responds courteously to inquiries; documents account details in the computer system; reviews incoming mail; and maintains follow-up systems, records, and files. Additional duties include preparing letters, liens, and probate claims; processing loan applications and bankruptcy notices; receiving charity-care documentation; reviewing self-pay admissions for possible third-party governmental coverage; referring accounts to outside collection agencies when appropriate; interpreting for non-English-speaking patients and the public; and monitoring a coworker’s desk when vacant. Other duties may be assigned. This is a temporary agency assignment for 3–6 months. The schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The hourly pay range is $29.47–$35.47. The position is represented by NUHW.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
One or more years of collection or organizational business office experience, including medical terminology, computer experience, general billing, and governmental program knowledge.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients’ ability to pay bills and arrange payment schedules.
Follow up with responsible parties and third-party payors regarding unpaid accounts and determine whether collection efforts have been exhausted.
Provide patients with alternative resources to finance hospitalization and explain program coverage options; assist with applications.
Compose and type letters, liens, and probate claims.
Arrange for and collect payments from pre-registered, in-house, and discharged patients.
Answer inquiries accurately and courteously, greet patients and the public politely, and respond to collection agency inquiries.
Enter detailed comments into the computer system and maintain account transaction records and files in hard copy and electronic systems.
Evaluate and process incoming mail.
Maintain a system for periodic review and follow-up on unpaid accounts.
Receive required documentation for charity-care patients.
Review admissions with a self-pay portion for possible third-party governmental coverage.
Refer accounts to outside collection agencies when collection efforts have been exhausted.
Process loan applications and bankruptcy notices.
Interpret for non-English-speaking patients and members of the public.
Monitor a coworker’s desk when it is vacant.
Perform other duties as assigned.