Patient Financial Couselor
About The Position
The Patient Financial Counselor assists the Revenue Cycle Director with day-to-day billing office functions, with patient financial counseling as the primary duty. The role works closely with the Revenue Cycle Director on patient billing, collections, and financing, with a primary focus on counseling patients. The position is based at Lincoln Health, a 15-bed Critical Access Hospital co-located with a 22-bed Long Term Care Unit. The facility employs 150–200 people. The counselor serves as the hospital’s financial representative during pre-admission and inpatient phases, helping patients understand and manage their financial obligations. The role requires professional communication, accurate recordkeeping, attention to detail in a high-volume environment, and the ability to work with patients, families, hospital departments, insurers, and other stakeholders. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Must be able to work in a high-volume area while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Computer skills to operate a practice management system and navigate multiple revenue cycle or patient accounting software systems.
- Ability to manage a phone system and respond appropriately to calls.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret billing and insurance documents.
- Ability to respond professionally and appropriately to common inquiries from patients, hospital employees, or regulatory agencies.
- Ability to prioritize numerous work activities and complete work accurately.
- Ability to promote a cooperative environment with hospital departments.
- Ability to perform assigned duties with minimal supervision, follow instructions, and complete duties promptly.
- Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Good grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills.
- Ability to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; and talk and hear regularly.
- Frequently sit, kneel, and stoop; occasionally stand and walk.
- Frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
- Distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
Nice To Haves
- Healthcare education and/or experience is highly desirable.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Revenue Cycle Director with day-to-day billing office functions.
- Serve as the hospital’s financial representative throughout pre-admission and inpatient phases, facilitating payment arrangements and addressing patient account inquiries.
- Verify insurance coverage, benefits, and eligibility, and secure required authorizations from third-party payers.
- Perform pre-registration activities and coordinate with physician offices, insurance carriers, patients, and guarantors to obtain necessary information.
- Calculate and communicate estimated patient financial responsibility at admission or as soon as practical afterward.
- Meet with patients and families before discharge to review financial obligations, collect estimated balances due, and answer billing questions.
- Educate and assist eligible patients with applications for financial assistance and alternative funding sources.
- Monitor and follow up on pending financial assistance and funding applications to ensure timely resolution and accurate account disposition.
- Act as a liaison among Admitting, Patient Financial Services, the Central Business Office, patients, and family members during hospitalization.
- Maintain accurate and complete financial records for admitted patients.
- Prepare promissory notes and establish payment arrangements for patients unable to meet financial obligations at discharge.
- Process payments and refunds accurately and respond promptly and professionally to patient inquiries and concerns.
- Prepare and maintain supporting documentation for accounts written off to bad debt or affected by insurance denials.
- Maintain working knowledge of third-party reimbursement guidelines, payer requirements, and applicable healthcare regulations.
- Follow Patient Financial Services self-pay policies, including completing guarantor financial statements, explaining payment options, and collecting outstanding balances.
- Maintain a basic understanding of medical necessity screening processes and related hospital information systems.
- Manage, record, and perform hospital discounted care screening.
- Prepare good faith estimates for Radiology Scheduling.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
