Patient Financial Couselor

Lincoln Community Hospital And Nursing Home; Hugo (CO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Lincoln Health in Hugo, CO is seeking a Patient Financial Counselor to assist the Revenue Cycle Director with day-to-day billing operations and patient financial services. You will verify insurance, pre-register, and communicate estimated patient responsibility at admission and discharge.

Responsibilities include safeguarding accurate records, assisting with financial assistance programs, and coordinating with Admitting and central offices for smooth hospital stays.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; healthcare education/desirable.
• Detail-oriented in high-volume area with strong communication.
• Computer skills to operate practice management systems.
• Ability to navigate revenue cycle/patient accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Serve as hospital's financial representative in pre-admission and inpatient phases.
• Verify insurance coverage and obtain authorizations from third-party payers.
• Perform pre-registration activities and gather required information.
• Calculate and communicate estimated patient financial responsibility.
• Meet patients to review financial obligations at discharge.
• Assist applying for financial assistance programs.
• Monitor and follow up on funding applications for timely resolution.
• Maintain accurate financial records for admitted patients.
• Prepare promissory notes and payment arrangements.
• Process payments and refunds; respond to inquiries promptly.
• Maintain documentation for accounts written off or denied.
• Adhere to policies, payer rules, and regulations.
• Understand discounted care screening and related estimates.

Skills

Communication skills

Phone system management

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Education

High School diploma/GED

Tools

Practice management system

Revenue cycle software

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: HUGO, CO 80821, Salary Range: $19.76 - $29.79 Hourly, Job Shift: Day, PURPOSE:

The Patient Financial Counselor will assist the Revenue Cycle Director with the day-to-day billing office functions, as directed. Patient Financial Counselor will be the primary duty.

DIMENSIONS:

The Patient Financial Counselor works closely with the Revenue Cycle Director to assist in all areas of the patient billing, collection, and financing cycles with the primary focus being Patient Financial Services Counselor to clients.

ENVIRONMENT:

Lincoln Health is a 15-bed Critical Access Hospital co-located with 22-bed Long Term Care Unit. The facility employs 150-200 employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the hospital's financial representative throughout the pre-admission and inpatient phases, facilitating payment arrangements and addressing patient account inquiries.
• Verify insurance coverage, benefits, and eligibility while securing all required authorizations from third-party payers.
• Perform pre-registration activities, including coordinating with physician offices, insurance carriers, patients, and guarantors to obtain necessary information.
• Calculate and communicate estimated patient financial responsibility at admission or as soon as practical thereafter.
• Meet with patients and families prior to discharge to review financial obligations, collect estimated balances due, and answer billing-related questions.
• Educate and assist patients in applying for available financial assistance programs and alternative funding sources when eligibility requirements are met.
• Monitor and follow up on pending financial assistance and funding applications to ensure timely resolution and accurate account disposition.
• Act as a liaison between Admitting, Patient Financial Services, the Central Business Office, patients, and family members during hospitalization.
• Maintain accurate and complete financial records for all admitted patients.
• Prepare promissory notes and establish payment arrangements for patients unable to satisfy their financial obligations at discharge.
• Process payments and refunds accurately and respond promptly and professionally to patient inquiries and concerns.
• Prepare and maintain supporting documentation for accounts written off to bad debt or affected by insurance denials.
• Demonstrate professionalism, strong customer service skills, and effective communication with patients, families, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain a working knowledge of third-party reimbursement guidelines, payer requirements, and applicable healthcare regulations.
• Adhere to Patient Financial Services self-pay policies, including completion of guarantor financial statements, explanation of payment options, and collection of outstanding patient balances.
• Maintain a basic understanding of medical necessity screening processes and related hospital information systems.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.
• Managing, recording, and performing hospital discounted care screening.
• Good faith estimates for Radiology Scheduling.

EXPOSURE RISK:

There is a risk of exposure to blood and body fluids or other potentially infectious materials.

SUPERVISORY RESPONISIBILITIES:

None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• High School diploma or G.E.D. Healthcare education and/or experience is highly desirable.
• Must be able to work in a high-volume area while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Computer skills required to operate practice management system.
• Ability to manage a phone system as well as navigate successfully between and interact with several different revenue cycle/patient accounting software’s.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret billing/insurance documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries from patients, hospital employees, or regulatory agencies and interact professionally and appropriately. Answers the phone appropriately.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to prioritize numerous work activities and complete all work accurately. Promote a cooperative environment with various hospital departments this position works with. Perform all assigned duties with minimal supervision; follow instructions and complete duties promptly.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to answer phone calls and respond as needed. Must have computer skills and the ability to use Microsoft Office Word and Excel software programs. Must have good grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, kneel, and stoop. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, however, the office does receive phone calls and in-person inquiries throughout the workday.