Patient Financial Counselor

Geisinger•Danville, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Financial Counselor provides in-person and telephone financial counseling to patients in designated areas, including admissions, scheduled and elective procedures, surgeries, and outpatient clinical services. The role coordinates patient billing and collections at the initial interview, before services are rendered, and after insurance payment. The counselor works closely with assigned clinical departments to communicate and address patients’ financial needs, provides accurate and efficient service, and collects co-payments, deductibles, and estimated balances at the point of service. The counselor interviews patients with inadequate or no insurance coverage, discusses the price of care and patients’ financial circumstances, gathers relevant information, and helps determine eligibility for government or private assistance programs. The position also prepares price estimates, explains insurance benefits, establishes payment arrangements, researches assigned accounts, supports self-pay receivables, and resolves accounts through available options under Revenue Management policies. It coordinates with patients, providers, insurance companies, employers, and internal teams to address financial clearance, billing, and collection concerns. The role may provide oversight and first-point-of-contact support for an assigned department, coverage for other departments, and account analysis and reporting. It documents patient interviews in the Electronic Medical Record and billing systems, identifies opportunities and trends, and escalates unusual situations or chronic financial, medical, and legal problems. Work is typically performed in a clinical and office environment, and travel may be required. The position follows applicable billing requirements and organizational policies and procedures.

Requirements

At least 3 years of related work experience.
Ability to provide accurate, efficient patient service and handle patient questions about financial matters, billing, and account status.
Ability to work collaboratively with patients, clinical departments, providers, insurers, employers, and internal Revenue Management teams.
Ability to use billing systems and complete and update Electronic Medical Record information according to approved guidelines.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree.

Responsibilities

Provide financial counseling to patients in person or by telephone for assigned admissions, surgeries, and outpatient clinical services.
Interview patients with inadequate or no insurance coverage and establish suitable financial arrangements before services when applicable.
Discuss care costs and patients’ financial circumstances, gather demographic and financial information, and help determine eligibility for Medicaid and other assistance sources.
Educate patients about financial matters, insurance benefits, price estimates, billing, account status, and expected costs.
Calculate outstanding balances and arrange resolution through pre-service counseling, point-of-service collections, payment plans, or other approved arrangements.
Collect co-payments, deductibles, estimated balances, and other outstanding amounts; prepare receipts for payments collected.
Research and follow up on assigned accounts, help maintain self-pay accounts receivable, and resolve accounts through charity, vendor referrals, financial status determination, or other approved options.
Review accounts receivable for special pricing packages, allocate funds appropriately, and provide findings, trend information, and recommendations.
Coordinate with Revenue Management teams, clinical departments, providers, insurance companies, employers, and patients to resolve financial clearance, insurance, billing, and collection issues.
Provide oversight and first-point-of-contact support for assigned departments, back-up coverage for departments, and report analysis as needed.
Troubleshoot financial advising and service issues and trends for assigned service lines, and manage related projects and tasks.
Complete and update the Electronic Medical Record and billing systems for patients interviewed in accordance with approved guidelines.
Advise the supervisor of unusual situations and chronic financial, medical, or legal problems.
Follow Revenue Management policies and procedures and comply with federal, state, and third-party billing requirements.