Financial Counselor

Skyland Trail; Atlanta, Chamblee (GA, GA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Skyland Trail in Atlanta, GA is seeking a Financial Counselor to manage patient financial services, verify insurance and benefits, and guide families through the admission process. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills, confidentiality, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Responsibilities include advising on payment options, obtaining signatures, entering data into Aura PMS, and coordinating with the admissions team to ensure accurate financial documentation and timely aid

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Certifications in medical administration, medical billing, coding, etc. are a plus.
• At least 3 years of experience with insurance verifications, reimbursements, and calculating deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, co-insurance and co-pays.
• Behavioral healthcare experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs pre-admitting financial activities and serves as point of contact for all financial and insurance questions for families during admissions.
• Verifies patient insurance information and sends an estimate of benefits within 24 hours after receiving data in Salesforce.
• Establishes patient liability based on verification and applicable financial aid discounts.
• Provides an estimate cost of planned care based on insurance and private pay fees.
• Re-verifies existing patient insurance coverage to determine if new plan covers services at Skyland Trail.
• Conducts phone financial consult with the Financial Responsible Party to explain benefits, deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, co-pays and lifetime maximums.
• Informs the Financially Responsible Party of private pay costs, insurance authorization process, and Skyland Trail financial aid program.
• Provides an estimated amount due for admission to the Financial Responsible Party 3-4 days before admission.
• Meets with the Financially Responsible Party at admission to review required financial documents and obtain signatures.
• Explains charges and Skyland Trail’s payment policies; collects initial payment on admission day.
• Promotes positive public relations with residents, family members, and guests.
• Responds to calls, voicemails, and emails within 24 hours.
• Enters insurance and demographic information into Aura (PMS) with 90%+ accuracy.
• Scans emails, insurance verification info, and financial documents into the chart on admission day.
• Collects documents for financial aid applications and submits to Manager Financial Counseling for review.
• Sends out Financial Aid decision emails.
• Assists with training of new hires for the Financial Counselor role.
• Performs other administrative tasks as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Confidential information handling

Customer service

Attention to detail

Initiative

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Medical administration certifications

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Main Campus Locations - Atlanta, GA 30329, Job Category: Admin - Clerical, It is essential that the Financial Counselor can function effectively in stressful situations. This position requires skill in interpersonal communication and the ability to deal with sensitive and confidential information in a professional manner. The Financial Counselor must display behaviors reflecting the appropriate performance factors for each major job responsibility, including but not limited to initiative, attention to detail, teamwork, communication, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Duties

• Performs pre-admitting financial activities and serves as point of contact for all financial and insurance questions for families during the admissions process.
• Verifies patient’s insurance information and sends an estimate of benefits within 24 hours after receiving demographic and insurance information in Salesforce.
• Establishes patient liability based on insurance verification information, applicable financial aid discounts.
• Provides an estimate cost of planned care based on insurance and private pay fees.
• Re-verifies existing patient insurance coverage to determine if new insurance plan covers services at Skyland Trail.
• Conducts phone financial consult with the Financial Responsible Party to provide a detailed explanation of mental health benefits, deductibles, out of pocket, copays, co-insurance, and lifetime maximums for treatment.
• Informs the Financially Responsible Party of private pay costs, insurance authorization process, and Skyland Trail financial aid program.
• Provides an estimated amount due for admission to the Financial Responsible Party 3-4 days before admission.
• Meets with the Financially Responsible Party at admission to review the required financial documents for admission and obtain required signatures on all documents.
• Explains all charges, services, and Skyland Trail’s policy regarding payment of outstanding balances.
• Collects the initial payment for services on the day of admission based on mental health benefits.
• Promotes positive public relations with residents, family members, and guests of Skyland Trail.
• Responds to incoming calls, voicemails, and emails from families and staff within a 24-hour timeframe.
• Enters insurance and demographic information into Aura (PMS) with an accuracy of 90% or higher.
• Scans all email correspondence, insurance verification information, and financial documents into client’s chart on the day of admission.
• Collect all required documents for financial aid application and submit application to Manager Financial Counseling for review.
• Sends out Financial Aid decision emails.
• Assists with training of new hires for the Financial Counselor role.
• Performs other administrative tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Certifications(s) in any medical administration, medical billing, coding, etc. are a plus.
• At least Three (3) years of experience with strong knowledge of insurance verifications, third party reimbursements requirements, and financial liability calculations specifically deductibles, out of pocket maximums, co-insurance, and co-pays.
• Behavior healthcare experience preferred.

Competencies

• Job Knowledge- Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.
• Problem Solving-Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Customer Service- Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; responds to requests for service and assistance from family and clinical team; meets commitments.
• Communication- Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form in a clear and informative manner; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Cooperation - Establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact and consideration; offers assistance and support to co-workers; works cooperatively in group situations; works actively to resolve conflicts.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to other’s views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Use of Technology - Demonstrates required skills; adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots technological problems; uses technology to increase productivity; keeps technical skills up to date.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.