Financial Counselor I

LE0010 Stanford Health Care; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford Health Care is seeking a Financial Counselor Level 1 to assess patient financial needs, screen eligibility for government and charity programs, and secure pre-service financial clearance. The role requires effective communication with patients, case workers, social workers, and executives while managing complex financial scenarios.

The position focuses on hospital charges, insurance status, and financial resources, with on-the-job training to advance to Level II as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• At least 1 year of progressive responsibilities in a hospital or clinic financial counseling role.
• Knowledge of pre-authorizations and reimbursement regulations (Medicare, Medi-Cal, children's health programs).
• Experience in a metrics-based environment with counseling goals (screening, collection).
• Proficient with Epic, insurance websites, POS payment systems, and Microsoft applications.

Responsibilities

• Screens uninsured/underinsured patients to identify government or charity programs.
• Determine financial clearance for visits (pre-service or at service).
• Check eligibility and benefits; determine authorization requirements.
• Assess risk of cases not cleared prior to service; escalate when needed.
• Communicate with patients and staff professionally and clearly.

Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Epic

Insurance websites

POS payment systems

Web-based screening tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Epic

Job description

If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered. Day - 08 Hour (United States of America) This is a Stanford Health Care job.

A Brief Overview

The Financial Counselor Level 1 role screens uninsured and underinsured patients at bedside and prior to or post services to identify government or charity programs to cover medical expenses. The position requires a patient financial interview which includes a review of hospital charges, the patient's insurance status and financial resources. It may include the completion of appropriate applications and diligent follow up for approval. This individual must possess the ability to effectively communicate, both orally and written, to a variety of individuals including: patients, case workers, social workers, hospital directors and executives while maintaining utmost professionalism. Must be multi-task orientated with excellent critical thinking skills and possess the ability to appropriately handle complexity and stress within the changing needs of the patients, families and the health system. It is expected that individuals in this level will acquire the necessary job skills, knowledge, team leadership and other qualifications through on-the-job and/or formal training in order to advance to the Financial Counselor II level.

What you will do

• Finds solutions to help address patient financial needs in accordance with Stanford Health Care policies and procedures.
• Determines financial clearance for a patient's visit or referral (pre-service or at time of service).
• Checks eligibility and benefits, determines authorization requirements have been met.
• Assesses "risk" of cases that have not been financially cleared/secured prior to service.
• Clears low risk cases, escalates high-risk cases to coordinator or manager.
• Contacts patient regarding steps required to clear their appointment for services including collecting a deposit for the patient's financially responsible portion.
• Quickly and accurately estimates a patient's out of pocket costs and prepares documents to present to the patient for payment.
• Assures secure handling and accurate recording of payments collected at the point-of-service delivery.
• Applies strong problem solving skills to help address the concerns and needs of the patients that the Financial Counselors serve.
• Effectively communicates, both orally and written, to a variety of individuals including: patients, case workers, social workers, hospital directors and executives while maintaining utmost professionalism.
• Maintains professional communication with various Patient Financial Clearance and Patient Access Services staff, medical center staff, physicians, guests, and patients regarding the services rendered at Stanford Health Care.
• Communication may consist of telephone correspondence or in person contact.
• Must be multi-task orientated with excellent critical thinking skills and possess the ability to appropriately handle complexity and stress within the changing needs of the patients, families and the health system.
• Meets weekly individual productivity goals and standards while following planned priorities as set by the Team Manager/Coordinator(s).
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the unit team manager or other PFC management personnel.
• Performs the complete registration and admitting process from start to finish.

Education Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent

Experience Qualifications

• At least 1 year of progressive responsibilities in a hospital or clinic financial counseling role with knowledge of pre-authorizations and reimbursement regulations pertaining to Medicare, Medi-Cal, and children's health programs, with previous experience working in a metrics-based environment driven by financial counseling goals (such as screening rates and collection goals)

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Language: Bilingual preferred (English and Spanish)
• Technology & Applications: Demonstrates proficiency as applicable with Epic, insurance websites, POS payment systems, web-based screening tools Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Industry Knowledge: Strong knowledge of eligibility and enrollment requirements for Medicare, Medi-Cal, Workers Comp, Managed Care (HMO, PPO, POS, etc.), Children's Health Programs (CCS, GHPP, Healthy Families, etc.)
• Skills/Abilities: Experience resolving issues in financial reimbursement billing, utilization management and government programs Prior experience calculating, communicating and educating patient's on their financial responsibilities Demonstrated communication, customer relations, and organizational skills Ability to multi-task with attention to detail Ability to complete work efficiently and problem solve independently Ability to work well in a team environment

Licenses and Certifications

• None

These principles apply to ALL employees

SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford's patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery. You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective: Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination

Equal Opportunity Employer

Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.

Base Pay Scale

Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $34.40 - $38.72 per hour. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage. At Stanford Health Care, we seek to provide patients with the very best in diagnosis and treatment, with outstanding quality, compassion and coordination. With an unmatched track record of scientific discovery, technological innovation and translational medicine, Stanford Medicine physicians are pioneering leading edge therapies today that will change the way health care is delivered tomorrow. As part of our spirit of discovery, we also leverage our deep relationships with luminary Silicon Valley companies to develop new ways to deliver preeminent patient care. Learn about our awards and significant events.