Financial Advocate

Mercy Medical Center; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids is seeking a Financial Advocate to assist patients with financial matters related to Mercy's services. The role requires excellent communication, compassionate service, and accurate handling of payments and payment plans.

You will document conversations, update billing records, interact with guarantors, and support collection efforts while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in a fast-paced hospital environment.

Qualifications

• One year experience in medical office, medical business office or insurance industry preferred.
• One year direct customer service experience preferred.
• Cash handling experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greets all visitors and guests upon arrival.
• Confers with guarantor/patient, Medical Staff and others to ensure prompt payment on accounts.
• Documents all conversations in the Practice Management System.
• Accepts payment by phone and sets up payment arrangements as policy.
• Responds to inquiries regarding guarantor accounts via phone, mail or in person.
• Prepares financial hardship papers for guarantor.
• Maintains guarantor work queues with clear next actions and follow-up dates.
• Collaborates with collection agencies and virtual liaison to resolve balances.
• Attends staff meetings and supports new staff during orientation.
• Updates demographic insurance information in the billing system as appropriate.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Public relations

Organizational skills

Time management

Critical thinking

Discretion

Lifelong learning

Flexibility

Independence

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Work ShiftDayScheduled Weekly Hours40SummaryThis position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by providing compassionate assistance to patients regarding financial matters associated with services provided by Mercy Medical Center and MSO clients.Job DescriptionJob DutiesGreets all visitors and guests upon arrival.Confers with guarantor/patient, Medical Staff and other hospital/clinic personnel in order to ensure prompt and full payment on accounts.Documents all conversations and actions taken into the Practice Management System.Accepts payment by phone and established payment arrangements according to established policies.Responds to inquiries, written, phone, and in person regarding guarantor accounts.Prepares financial hardship papers for guarantor.Maintains guarantor work queues according to procedure, clearly defining next actions and follow-up dates on all accounts.Works with collection agencies and virtual liaison to resolve account balances.Participates in training new Financial Advocates and is supportive of new staff, working for their successful orientation.Attends staff meetings regularly (as per hospital policy) unless called upon to provide coverage for other staff members to attend.Receives and routes all miscellaneous calls from call center.Updates demographic insurance information into the billing system as appropriate.Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesPreferred knowledge of EPIC software.Preferred proficiency in Microsoft Office products.Proficient in operation of computer, calculator, filing systems, copy/fax machines and telephone system.Excellent interpersonal skills.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Excellent public relations and human relations - exemplifies The Mercy Touch.Excellent organizational and time management skills.Critical thinking and attention to detail.Exhibits good judgement.Handles confidential information with discretion and diplomacy.Commitment to life-long learning, e.g. willingness to learn/upgrade skills related to duties.Flexibility and dependability, works well with a wide variety of individuals and leadership styles.Ability to work with minimal to no supervision.Professional ExperiencePreferred:One year previous experience in medical office, medical business office or insurance industry.One year direct customer service experienceCash handling experienceEducationHigh School Diploma or equivalent strongly preferred. Relevant experience to be considered in lieu of degree.Licensure, Certification, RegistrationN/APhysical RequirementsSedentary: Exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a minute amount frequentlyLight: Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequentlyPay Rate TypeHourlyMercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.