Financial Rep

Jackson County Memorial Hospital Authority•Altus, OK

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Customer Service Supervisor and the Director of Patient Accounting, the Financial Representative is responsible for all aspects of Financial Counseling. Job duties include but are not limited to reviewing all scheduled appointments, admissions and registrations to identify any encounters with potential financial concern; meeting with patients and/or their representatives to advise them of their financial obligations related to their visit or past visits according to the hospital collection policy; meeting with patient and/or their representative to collect complete and accurate financial information in the event that additional financial assistance is needed; acting as a resource to the registration/scheduling staff in all areas; and notifying management and other collection staff of any potential problems with the collection of patient account balances. Demonstrates Competency in the Following General Areas: Commits to one hundred percent (100%) patient and customer satisfaction by always exhibiting a courteous and helpful manner during interactions with others, including patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers. Mains a general, overall working knowledge of the department’s mission thereby having the ability to provide basic service and support to others, including patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers. Recognizes when others are in need of assistance and consistently offers to help when own workload permits. Fully knowledgeable of the comprehensive Patient Accounting policies and procedural flow, and able to apply this knowledge to all situations. Demonstrates Competency in the Following Primary Duties: Reviews scheduled and non-scheduled patient registrations/admissions to identify any encounters with potential financial concerns; makes contact with patients identified to advise them of their financial responsibility providing information and explanations to the patient or responsible party regarding the policy and various options for resolving the calculated self pay liability for the service being provided; documents information appropriately on patient’s account. Provides support to patient and/or their representative in the completion of the Financial Assistance application to ensure management has necessary documentation to make decision on financial need; logs application information into the Financial Assistance Database ensuring that the information is accurate. Works with Centralized Scheduling, physician office staff and admissions personnel to ensure that patients are able to meet their scheduled appointment times while also adhering to the JCMH collection policy and Patient Accounting guidelines. Provides appropriate explanations to patients and other appropriate parties, and secures and witnesses all required signatures according to internal policy and regulation as applicable; accurately scans and/or files documents appropriately to ensure documents are stored according to hospital retention policy. Initiates electronic and/or telephone inquiries to the appropriate party(ies) including third party payers, employers, and/or claims administrators sharing information as necessary in order to secure, record and electronically enter data which confirms the patient’s eligibility for third party benefits and the detailed level of benefits for the services being provided, as well as any other essential claim submission instructions that might be identified during this inquiry. Provides backup support to Customer Service Representatives. Keeps Customer Service supervisor and Director of Patient Accounting informed of work activities, needs and problems.

Requirements

Ability to organize work, direct and set priorities, and effectively accomplish required duties with minimal or no supervision.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Must be able to pass pre-employment testing including but not limited to clerical ability and typing test.
Must be able to communicate (orally and in writing) effectively with patients, doctors and other departments in the institution.
Previous work history that demonstrates steady attendance and punctuality is required.
Must be able to meet the public in a direct and professional manner.
Must be able to read & communicate effectively in English.
Must be able to communicate firmly what is required of patients in regards to their financial status.
Near visual & hearing acuity required to perform essential duties of position.
Wears identification while on duty; meets dress code standards; appearance is neat and clean.
Reports to work on time and as scheduled, uses time and attendance system correctly and completes work within designated time.
Attends mandatory meetings; attends and/or reads minutes of other scheduled meetings.
Respects patient confidentiality and uses discretion in discussion of patient information.
Follows hospital and departmental requirements for infection control and safety.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or active pursuit of advanced degree preferred.
AAHAM or NAHAM certification or active pursuit of certification preferred.
Two years previous acceptable experience in a healthcare revenue cycle department with an emphasis in Financial Counseling or collections preferred.
Participates in continuing educational activities as deemed appropriate by department’s Manager or Director.
Completes annual education requirements in a timely manner including but not limited to a minimum of 6 hours per year of job shadowing in the Patient Access and/or Centralized Scheduling areas.

Responsibilities

Review scheduled and non-scheduled patient registrations/admissions to identify any encounters with potential financial concerns.
Contact patients identified to advise them of their financial responsibility, providing information and explanations regarding the policy and various options for resolving the calculated self-pay liability.
Document information appropriately on patient’s account.
Provide support to patients and/or their representatives in completing the Financial Assistance application.
Log application information into the Financial Assistance Database, ensuring accuracy.
Work with Centralized Scheduling, physician office staff, and admissions personnel to ensure patients can meet scheduled appointment times while adhering to collection policies.
Provide appropriate explanations to patients and other appropriate parties.
Secure and witness all required signatures according to internal policy and regulation.
Accurately scan and/or file documents appropriately according to hospital retention policy.
Initiate electronic and/or telephone inquiries to appropriate parties (third-party payers, employers, claims administrators) to confirm patient eligibility for third-party benefits and the detailed level of benefits.
Provide backup support to Customer Service Representatives.
Keep Customer Service supervisor and Director of Patient Accounting informed of work activities, needs, and problems.