Financial Counselor

Kaiser Permanente; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles is seeking a Financial Counselor who provides patient-focused counseling to determine payer sources for self-pay accounts, including third party liability, Workers Compensation, COB, Medicare and Medi-Cal. The role includes guiding staff and coordinating with admissions and billing to secure appropriate coverage.

Responsibilities include reviewing patient financial information, assisting with Medical Financial Assistance applications, obtaining

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years in Health Care billing, collections or Financial Counseling.
• Typing 35 WPM or as required by Medical Center.
• Knowledge of Government Programs and alternate payer sources (Workers Compensation, TPL, COB, Commercial, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Confidentially obtains or reviews and records patient financial and demographic information.
• Interviews patients to determine financial status and counsels on direct payment or enrollment in programs.
• Prepares Medical Financial Assistance applications and coordinates with staff and physicians on processes.
• Obtains pre-authorizations for services from employers and other insurance carriers.
• Ensures documentation in billable jackets is complete and up-to-date.
• Acts as a patient/member advocate, guiding referrals to external agencies as needed.

Skills

Health Care billing

Financial Counseling

Government Programs knowledge

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Medical Terminology course

Job description

Job Summary

Under indirect supervision, at the point of service provides financial counseling to patients in a personal interview to create a payer source for Inpatient and Outpatient self-pay accounts. Identifies potential third party liability, Workers Compensation, Commercial, COB, Medicare and Medi-Cal. Provides functional direction to Business Service Representatives and Receptionists. Determines and approves Medical Financial Assistance and payment arrangements.

Essential Responsibilities

Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws. Confidentially obtains or reviews and records patient financial and demographic information. Coordinates with inpatient/outpatient admission and registration for identification of potential alternate payer sources. Interviews patients to determine financial status, counsels and makes arrangements for direct payment, potential enrollment in a government sponsored program or direct billing to the patient. Completes Medical Financial Assistance applications based on analysis of patient financial information. Provides functional guidance to the support staff and informs support staff and physicians on new and revised processes. Acts as a patient/member advocate and uses knowledge of external and internal Social Services agencies for patient referral. Retrospectively reviews diagnosis and treatment records to identify potential Third Party Liability and Workers Compensation cases. Screens for potential eligibility for KP Membership through government programs (Medi-Cal, Medicare, transition plan, etc.). Obtains pre-authorizations for services from employers and other insurance carriers. Coordinates and collects conversion dues for KP coverage. Checks patient information against updated eligibility using on-line systems (Foundations). Places telephone call to the appropriate departments (CSC, Sales and Marketing etc.) in cases where group eligibility is not updated. Ensures that all documentation in the billable jackets is complete and obtains missing or needed information. Establishes and maintains courteous, cooperative relations with the public, patients, and other personnel. Performs other related duties as required.

Basic Qualifications

Experience

Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in Health Care billing, collections or Financial Counseling or equivalent. Typing 35 WPM or as required by Medical Center. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of and to utilize Government Programs and alternate payer sources (Workers Compensation, TPL, COB, Commercial, etc.). Demonstrated ability in patient registration, admissions, and billing practice required.

Education

• High School Diploma/GED. Certificate of completion of a course in Medical Terminology

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Notes

• This is an on call position, days and hours may vary.