Patient Financial Counselor

Wickenburg Community Hospital•Surprise, AZ

18d

About The Position

The Patient Financial Counselor works with hospital and clinic patients who have difficulty paying for care. The role helps patients understand and address their financial obligations, establishes payment plans when needed, assists with AHCCCS and other financial assistance applications, and determines appropriate solutions based on patients’ individual financial needs. The position coordinates efforts to identify and explain patient liabilities, collect amounts owed, and investigate potential payment sources and alternatives. The counselor performs insurance verification and obtains preauthorization before treatment or services begin. The role ensures required forms and patient information are complete and current in the electronic medical record, communicates potential coverage issues to the treatment team, and provides financial counseling before treatment. Counseling includes explaining obligations and billing processes, collecting payments or arranging payment plans, documenting discussions in the EMR, and forwarding required records to patient accounts. The counselor also refers patients to relevant enrollment resources and assists with forms. The position works collaboratively with Patient Access Supervisors and Revenue Cycle Managers, contributes to front-office efficiency, participates in meetings and team planning, and may assist with other front-office functions as requested by the Patient Access Manager. The job may involve prolonged sitting, frequent interruptions, and lifting or carrying up to 20 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Strong oral and written communication skills with all people.
Proficient computer skills.
Self-directed and able to prioritize duties.
Four years of experience in insurance verification and/or other revenue cycle functions.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience in patient access, insurance verification, or other revenue cycle functions, with experience directly related to financial counseling.
Bilingual Spanish.
CHAA, CRCS, CRCR, or another nationally recognized Revenue Cycle certification.

Responsibilities

Perform insurance verification with third-party payers and obtain initial and subsequent preauthorization before treatment or services begin.
Ensure that required signatures are obtained on forms, including ABNs and patient liability estimates.
Obtain and maintain accurate, current demographic, insurance, and patient eligibility information in the electronic medical record.
Communicate anticipated coverage issues to the treatment team when they may affect the sequencing or timeliness of care.
Provide financial counseling before treatment by explaining financial obligations and billing processes, collecting payment, or establishing payment arrangements as needed.
Document financial counseling and discussions in the EMR and forward necessary documentation to the patient accounts department.
Assist patients in obtaining financial assistance, including AHCCCS or drug replacement assistance.
Refer patients to appropriate resources for program enrollment and assist with forms as necessary.
Communicate courteously and professionally with co-workers.
Attend organizational and department meetings when indicated and participate in team discussions and planning.
Follow policies and procedures to contribute to front-office efficiency.
Assist with other front-office functions as requested by the Patient Access Manager.