Financial Counselor

PeaceHealth; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

PeaceHealth seeks a Financial Counselor for a full-time, day shift to advise patients on insurance, payment plans, government programs and financial assistance options.

The role requires reviewing applications, coordinating with Care Management, and following up on cases to resolve financial matters while maintaining compassionate patient interactions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year experience in collections, customer service, billing or related medical field.
• Preferred: Strong familiarity with government, commercial and third party billing.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Review financial assistance applications for accuracy and initial approval.
• Assist patients with paperwork for applications and gather information.
• Submit and follow up on applications and missing information.
• Document all communication in the system of record.
• Coordinate efforts to determine financial liabilities and educate patients.

Skills

Collections

Customer service

Billing

Empathy & communication

Time management

Tools

EPIC

Job description

Description

PeaceHealth is seeking a Financial Counselor for a Full Time, 1.00 FTE, Day position. The salary range for this job opening at PeaceHealth is $20.58 – $30.88. The hiring rate is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to education, training, work experience, terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, seniority, etc.

Job Summary

In collaboration with system leadership, acts as a patient facing hospital resource for knowledge on all insurance benefit types, payment plans, government programs, financial assistance screening/applications and act as a liaison relating to liability estimation. Utilizes a thorough knowledge of all programs and shares information with and acts as a resource for Patient Access Specialists and vendors (if applicable), Case Management, PH Financial Leadership, and Revenue Cycle Leadership. Completes account management including patient follow-up, eligibility hearing attendance, and government agency follow-up, as assigned. In addition, works closely and regularly with Care Management to follow up on in-house patients whose financial situation is unclear or has changed since the time of admission.

Essential Functions

• Reviews and evaluates completed financial assistance applications for accuracy and makes initial approval determination.
• Works with patients to complete any necessary paperwork or documentation for application or Financial Assistance. Gathers initial information and submit application to the appropriate program.
• Screens and then initiates, submits, and follows up on all applications and missing information for any program and pursues resolution of pending cases.
• Documents all communication with patient, payor and/or Care Management in the system of record.
• Coordinates efforts within the Patient Access department to determine financial liabilities and educate the patient. Collects any amounts owed and coordinates the financial investigation to identify payment sources and possible alternatives. Meets regularly with Case Management to review status of in-house patients and takes action to ensure that patients with less than full financial coverage receive financial counseling.
• Performs other financial counseling functions (e.g., extended payment arrangements, discounts, address sensitive financial situations with patients who are experiencing health challenges).
• Collaborates with nursing units and Care Management to determine patient’s medical and mental condition prior to visiting patient in room. Patients who cannot meet are documented and a follow-up visit is performed daily.
• Develops strong working relationships with representatives from government agencies, including state aid workers, to ensure speedy resolution of cases pending approval and provide any needed documentation to the agency representatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

Experience

• Minimum of 1 year Required: Experience in collections, customer service, billing or related medical field.
• Preferred: Strong familiarity with government, commercial and third party billing.

Credentials

• Required: within 90 Days Community Volunteer Assister Washington Requirement or
• Required: within 90 Days OHP Community Partner Oregon Requirement or
• Required: within 90 Days Qualified Hospital Presumptive Eligibility Organization Alaska Requirement

Skills

• Excellent attention to detail (Required)
• Ability to work and communicate well with others (Required)
• Ability to work directly with patients in an empathetic and compassionate way (Required)
• Ability to collaborate with other departments outside of your work area (Required)
• Excellent time management skills (Required)
• Basic computer skills (Required)
• EPIC Knowledge (Preferred)

Working Conditions

Lifting

• Consistently operates computer and other office equipment.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Sedentary work.

Environmental Conditions

• Predominantly operates in an office environment.

Mental/Visual

• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information.
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

PeaceHealth is committed to the overall wellbeing of our caregivers: physical, emotional, financial, social, and spiritual. We offer caregivers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. Some of the many benefits included in this package are full medical/dental/vision coverage; 403b retirement plan employer base and matching contributions; paid time off; employer-paid life and disability insurance with additional buyup coverage options; tuition and continuing education reimbursement; wellness benefits, and expanded EAP and mental health program.

See how PeaceHealth is committed to Inclusivity, Respect for Diversity and Cultural Humility.

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