Lead Financial Counselor

American Oncology Network, Inc.; Kansas City (KS); Hybrid; USD 56,885,000 - 85,612,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with 100% match

Paid time off

Job summary

American Oncology Network, Inc. is hiring a Financial Counselor to serve as the liaison between patients and the practice, coordinating payments and financial assistance while keeping insurance benefits up to date in EMR and billing software.

The role includes handling pre-certification and prior authorization tasks, explaining treatment costs to patients, and coordinating with care teams to ensure financial clearance for services.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; further education a plus.
• Minimum two years of healthcare field experience, preferably in a clinical or business office setting.
• Experience with patient financial counseling, insurance verification, and pre-certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate pre-certification and prior authorization processes with insurance providers.
• Estimate patient financial responsibility and discuss insurance benefits with patients.
• Assist patients with applications for financial assistance and review ageing balances.
• Communicate with providers and staff to ensure timely completion of forms and approvals.
• Maintain accurate records in EMR and billing software and stay compliant with all laws.

Skills

Verbal communication

Customer service

Healthcare knowledge

Cash handling

Education

High school diploma or GED

2+ years healthcare experience

Tools

MS Office

EMR systems

Billing software

Job description

Location

Mid America Cancer Care Centers Hiring Range: $19.81 - $29.83

Job Description Summary

A Financial counselor serves as the liaison between the patient and the practice by coordinating payments, assistance, monitoring patient balances, and streamlining communication of the financial responsibilities of our patients. Performs the quality control function for pre-certification and prior authorization. The Financial Counselor ensures the patients’ insurance benefits are kept up to date in the electronic medical records (EMR) and billing software while also verifying the patient’s services meet insurance coverage appropriateness.

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Monitors and coordinates internally and externally with the insurance company on the pre-certification and prior authorization processes, including peer-2-peer and appeals, seeking support from provider or pharmacy team when applicable.
• Review assigned patient(s) and/or Physician schedules for upcoming visits and/or treatment to establish patient financial responsibility.
• Review patients’ treatment plan(s) and identify if insurance benefit coverage is active and patient fiscal responsibility, all unplanned exceptions are to be communicated to provider immediately.
• Review and identify new treatment orders, generate an estimate of service and review with patient explaining insurance benefits and fiscal responsibility.
• If applicable, obtain necessary information from patient for assistance income guidelines.
• Identify and review patient ageing balances and establish proper arrangements with the patient to address outstanding balance(s).
• Discuss and explain forms and paperwork needed such as waivers, treatment estimates, payment plans, assistance applications, etc.
• Communicate openly and routinely throughout the course of the workday with providers, nursing staff, PSS staff, UM team and coworkers through Teams, phone calls, emails and in person to discuss fiscal responsibility and other items as needed.
• Work closely with outside entities to ensure full collaboration and completion of forms and items needed in a timely and sometimes urgent manner.
• Assist patient(s) with completing necessary paperwork for assistance and other grant funded programs in order to secure financial aid for treatment and services.
• Have an understanding of patient assistance programs and grant services processes to ensure adequate application, placement, and coordination with financial aid counseling team.
• Understand and comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations pertaining to patient care, rights, safety, billing, and collections.
• Will be expected to work overtime when given sufficient notice of required overtime.
• Keep work area and records in a neat and orderly manner.
• Maintain all company equipment in a safe and working order.
• Adhere to all AON and departmental policies and procedures, including Revenue cycle policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Job Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: High school Diploma or GED required. Further education or degree a plus
• Certifications/Licenses:
• Previous Experience (including minimum years of experience): A minimum of two-years prior experience in the healthcare field, preferably in a clinical or business office setting required.
• Prior Healthcare customer service.
• Prior Medical terminology.
• Prior Medical insurance verification.
• Prior Verifying pre-certification and/or prior authorization with medical insurance.
• Excellent proven verbal and communication skills needed.
• Proven Insurance knowledge requirements including an understanding of medical terminology, ICD9, ICD10 and CPT codes.
• Prior Cash handling and monetary collection experience.
• Ability to calculate and collect patients’ responsibility and insurance co-pay/coinsurance.

Core Capabilities

• Analysis & Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills including solid problem solving, analysis, decision-making, planning, time management and organizational skills. Must be detailed oriented with the ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Developed interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, diplomacy, tat, conflict management, delegation skills, and diversity awareness. Ability to work effectively with sensitive and confidential material and sometimes emotionally charged matters.
• Communication Skills: Good command of the English language. Second language is an asset but not required. Effective communication skills (oral, written, presentation), is an active listener, and effectively provides balanced feedback.
• Customer Service & Organizational Awareness: Strong customer focus. Ability to build an engaging culture of quality, performance effectiveness and operational excellence through best practices, strong business and political acumen, collaboration and partnerships, as well as a positive employee, physician and community relations.
• Self-Management: Effectively manages own time, conflicting priorities, self, stress, and professional development. Self-motivated and self-starter with ability work independently with limited supervision. Ability to work remotely effectively as required. Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-site environment with demonstrated ability to juggle competing priorities and demands from a variety of stakeholders and sites.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook required. Ability to use multiple screens to perform required job functions. Ability to navigate multiple applications and tab in and out of workflow to complete tasks.

Travel

0%

Standard Core Workdays/Hours

Monday to Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

AON Overview

American Oncology Network AON is an alliance of physicians and veteran healthcare leaders dedicated to ensuring the long-term success and viability of oncology diagnosis and treatment in community-based settings. It is the fastest growing national network of community oncology practices delivering local access to exceptional cancer care. AON serves its expanding network of partner practices by providing proven practice management expertise. Our employees across the country work together to empower physicians to make cancer care better. By driving integrated, collaborative care, we are proudly helping community oncologists deliver the highest quality care to every patient. Cancer touches everyone. Being able to make a difference in the lives of those fighting this disease is something our employees at AON cherish and never take for granted. A career in oncology offers all sorts of rewards. But working at AON offers employees more than most. As a fast-growing national company, the opportunity to join a national workforce with flexible work options is available. We offer competitive compensation packages that include comprehensive health insurance with a robust provider network. Our 401k, which offers a 100% match and investment options, is available to full-time and part-time staff members, and we feature a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program. At AON, we offer you more than a job, we offer you a career. As a network of independent oncology practices working together as one, we host annual summits each year, providing our employees a chance to collaborate with AON peers from across the country. Promoting from within is a priority at AON, and we support our team members continued growth through professional development programs and tuition assistance.