Financial Advocate

Mercy Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy Medical Center is seeking a Financial Advocate to assist patients with financial matters related to Mercy's services. You will greet visitors, verify insurance, explain billing and payment options, and document interactions in the Practice Management System.

The role involves communicating with guarantors, coordinating payment arrangements, and working with collection agencies to resolve balances. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Preferred knowledge of EPIC software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Greets all visitors and guests upon arrival.
• Confers with guarantor/patient, Medical Staff and other hospital personnel to ensure prompt and full payment on accounts.
• Documents conversations and actions in the Practice Management System.
• Accepts payment by phone and establishes payment arrangements per policy.
• Responds to inquiries about guarantor accounts via mail, phone, or in person.
• Prepares financial hardship papers for guarantor and maintains account queues.
• Works with collection agencies to resolve balances.
• Attends staff meetings and supports new staff orientation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Attention to detail

Discretion

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

EPIC

Microsoft Office

Job description

Work Shift Day Scheduled Weekly Hours 40

Summary This 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 Duties

• Greets 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 Abilities

• Preferred 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 Experience

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

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Relevant experience to be considered in lieu of degree.

Licensure, Certification, Registration

N/A

Physical Requirements

• Sedentary: Exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a minute amount frequently
• Light: Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently

Pay Rate Type Hourly

Mercy 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.