Patient Financial Advocate

TMH The Miriam Hospital; United States; On-site; USD 29,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University Health seeks a patient financial advocate to determine each patient’s financial responsibility and secure available resources. You will verify insurance coverage, obtain authorizations, and coordinate with insurers and providers to resolve billing issues.

The role requires strong communication skills, familiarity with public assistance programs, and the ability to manage high volumes of prior authorizations in a hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of third-party coverage, prior authorization, referrals and related processes.
• Familiarity with state and federal resources for public assistance and appeals.
• Strong interpersonal skills to communicate with patients, families, providers and payers.
• Ability to operate a computer and maintain accurate records and reports.
• Working knowledge of CPT/ ICD coding and registration information.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage high volumes of prior authorizations.
• Analytical capability to assess workflow and identify improvements.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for patients and families to resolve outstanding accounts.
• Arrange payment plans and advise on available resources and options.
• Interview patients regarding financial status to promote eligibility for assistance.
• Coordinate with legal aid and public benefits as needed.
• Assist in gathering documentation for public programs and appeals.
• Verify insurance coverage and obtain pre-authorizations for services.
• Determine patient responsibility and communicate it clearly.
• Ensure referrals and PCP accuracy; review referrals and pre-authorizations.
• Collaborate with providers to obtain prior authorizations for denied services.
• Coordinate information to manage insurance denials and billing issues.
• Participate in meetings and contribute suggestions for process improvements.
• Perform supporting duties such as registering patients and scheduling.

Skills

Knowledge of third-party coverage

Prior authorization process

Referrals

Interpersonal communication

Computer literacy

Job description

SUMMARY

Under the general supervision and within established hospital and departmental policies and procedures, to serve as a liaison between Brown University Health Cancer Institute (BUHCI), patient and family members to determine the patient’s portion of medical expenses and ascertain, develop and secure resources which may be available to patient and family members for the resolution of medical expenses incurred. Obtains and verifies coverage authorizations for referrals, medications, and procedures, ensuring financial clearance from insurance companies have been received as well as coordinating the insurance denial process. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

RESPONSIBILITIES

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assumes an advocacy role with patients and or families and their surrogates regarding the resolution of outstanding patient accounts.
• Arranges and negotiates payment conditions and plans and advises and counsels patients regarding available resources from which payments can be made.
• Interviews patients and family members relative to their financial and dependency status or other factors, which may help promote eligibility for medical assistance or other state and federal programs.
• Secures legal counsel and aid for patients and families.
• Assists patients in obtaining documentation necessary to apply for public assistance.
• Maintains a continuing review of files, records and other forms of documentation on state and federal programs and regulations.
• Verifies patient insurance coverage (both primary and secondary) online or by telephone.
• Obtains and verifies coverage authorizations for scheduled and unscheduled patients, to include all sources such as Worker’s Compensation, Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP), Medicare liability, liens, etc.
• Establishes level of insurance benefits and expected payment for selected services.
• Determines the patient's portion of payment, when applicable, and communicates to patient.
• Ensures referrals are obtained and confirms accuracy of the Primary Care Physician (PCP).
• Reviews variety of reports and records to ensure that referrals and pre authorizations from insurance companies have been received.
• Confirms patient eligibility with insurance carriers and obtains visit authorizations as necessary.
• Contacts third party payers to obtain pre authorizations in accordance with established policies.
• Collaborates with physicians and mid-level providers to schedule peer-to-peer discussions to obtain prior authorization of services denied by the patient’s insurance.
• Coordinates all information for managing insurance denials.
• Collaborates with various Brown University Health personnel to resolve billing issues, prior[1]authorizations, denials, and insurance denials/write-offs.
• Regularly participates in business team meetings with staff and management to make recommendations where there are perceived problems.
• Performs other duties as required to support the operations of the department, including, but not limited to, registering patients, scheduling appointments, scanning and faxing documents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BASIC KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of third-party coverage, prior authorization process, referrals, etc.
• Current knowledge of state and federal resources available for needy and disabled, including familiarity with forms and documents necessary to file appeals on denied claims.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with patients, family members, Brown University Health employees, third party payers and state and federal representatives and other government service agencies.
• Ability to operate a computer to access information and to prepare and maintain related records and reports.
• Possess strong medical terminology knowledge and clear knowledge of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and registration information.
• Strong organizational skills to effectively plan, direct, and manage high volume of orders requiring prior authorization.
• Analytical skills to evaluate effectiveness of workflow, make recommendations for change and to develop, review and evaluate various records and reports.

EXPERIENCE

Two years progressively responsible experience in health care with a heavy emphasis in one or more of the following areas: patient care environment, health care operations, database management, prior authorizations, referrals, documentation, and departmental operations. Knowledge of coding in a healthcare environment is a plus. Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills and a focus for detail is needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Sitting for long periods of time at a workstation utilizing a computer and telephone.
• May have to do light walking.
• Ability to lift up to ten pounds.

INDEPENDENT ACTION

Performs independently within the departments policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to the supervisor when clarification of departmental policies and procedures are required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None

Pay Range: $20.96-$34.61

EEO Statement: Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Location: The Miriam Hospital - 164 Summit Ave Providence, Rhode Island 02906

Work Type: PD as required

Work Shift: Variable Daily Hours: Per Diem - As required Driving Required: No As Rhode Island's largest health system and private employer, Brown University Health is the state's premier provider of health services and includes the only Level I Trauma Center for southeastern New England. Today, more than 20,000 people work at Brown University Health and bring their unique skills, experiences, and compassion to their jobs every day. Formed in 1994, Brown University Health is a not-for-profit health system based in Providence, RI comprising three teaching hospitals of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University: Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children's; The Miriam Hospital; and Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital for children; Newport Hospital, Saint Anne's Hospital and Morton Hospital, community hospitals offering a broad range of health services; Gateway Healthcare, the state’s largest provider of community behavioral health care; and Brown Health Medical Group, the largest multi‑specialty practice in Rhode Island.

Brown University Health is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity of cultural background, race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and perspectives - we are actively committed to a diverse workforce that represents the patients and community that we serve. We are invested in creating a respectful, inclusive, and equitable environment that supports the holistic well‑being of our employees and their families. Join us and help build a healthier future for our patients - and for yourself.

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