Financial Counselor - Healthcare jobs in Seattle, WA

Wage Range:

Minimum: $21.50/hour

Maximum: $30.38/hour

• High school graduate with a minimum of two years experience in admissions and/or collections
• Working knowledge of managed care and business software programs
• A good understanding of insurance plans and the ability to interpret benefits and calculate copays, deductibles, and coinsurance is also very helpful

• Complete the admission/registration process with the patient and family.
  • Complete all admission forms accurately and obtain appropriate signatures as required.
  • Complete special Medicare, Tricare, Group Health and other required payer forms during the admission process if appropriate.
  • Review patient demographics and insurance information and make corrections as needed during the admission to maintain the integrity of our database.
  • Take the patient’s picture and print rounds sheets prior to taking them to the unit. Coordinate with Nursing Staff to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient at all times.
  • If insurance has been verified review benefits and collect the patient’s out of pocket estimate due during the admission process. If it is a self-pay account, collect a deposit towards the anticipated portion owed. For self-pay accounts notify the Admissions Manager and Business Office Director (BOD) to mitigate financial losses.
  • Sort and distribute the admission forms appropriately to ensure timely completion of the patient’s medical chart.
  • Review financial packets from after-hours admissions and ensure that all paperwork is accounted for and the admission is completed to our department standards.
• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits prior to the arrival of the patient (if possible) or within 24 business hours of admission.
  • Verify Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance benefits in an accurate and timely manner and ensure that the benefit sheet is accurate and legible.
  • Send a copy of the Insurance Verification to the Authorization Clinician by the morning after the admission (at the latest) to ensure timely notification of admission and authorization of the stay.
  • Enter the verification of benefits note and message code in the patient accounting system (MS-4).
  • Communicate coverage limitations, lapse in benefit, pre-existing condition situations, and other potential risks of non-payment to the Business Office Director and Admissions Manager upon discovery.
  • Inform the Admissions Manager of any potential backlog in verifications so that other staff can be utilized to ensure timely and accurate verifications at all times.
• Conduct a financial counseling interview with patient and/or family within 24 hours or next business day of admission.
  • Complete Patient Responsibility Calculation Spreadsheet based on insurance benefits prior to meeting with the patient.
  • Explain coverage and benefits to patient and/or family and collect estimated patient portion.
  • If the patient indicates inability to pay, inform them of the Charity Care policy and if needed, assist them in completing a Charity application.
  • Financial Counselor is required within six (6) months of hire to complete their Washington State Navigator Credentialing in order to assist patients with completing MediCaid Applications while admitted.
  • Enter thorough documentation of all encounters with the patient and family in the patient accounting notes (MS-4) and enter an appropriate message code as well.
• Maintain in-house accounts in good order and respond to requests from other departments and Business Office staff in a timely and appropriate manner.
  • Follow up with patients on the Unit to get incomplete paperwork done within 24 hours of admission and continue to try to get involuntary patients to comply throughout the stay.
  • Keep accurate and timely notes in MS-4 of any interaction with the patient or family while the patient is in house.
  • Make needed corrections to patient accounts whenever previously entered information is found to be incorrect and share the updates with the BOD and Admissions Manager.
  • Coordinate with Discharge Planners to obtain benefits for a reduced level of care when appropriate.
  • If the patient has completed a Medicaid application, enter it into the DSHS system.
  • If the patient has not paid their portion of the bill by discharge, assist them in determining effective payment arrangements at discharge or within 7 days of discharge date.
  • Maintain the Front End Collection Log and update it when patient portions are collected.
  • Must maintain Up Front Collections Log and meet department goals as stated by Admissions Manager to be considered for monthly monetary incentive.

• Utilize the principles of service excellence in all work situations.
  • Treat everyone as a guest.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and excellence in the things I do.
  • Practice teamwork.
• Be dependable and reliable.
  • Report to work at scheduled start time and comply with the attendance policy.
  • Follow facility policy for use and reporting of planned leave.
  • Follow work assignments/instructions as indicated and utilize work time and resources in an efficient, economical manner.
  • Attend Handle with Care and Verbal De-escalation training as required and seek learning opportunities.
  • Participate as a positive, professional team member.
  • Comply with the facility dress code.
  • Flexibility and ability to cover Financial Counseling positions on other campuses as needed.
  • Complete HealthStream Modules as assigned in a timely manner.

• Knowledge of facility and corporate policies and procedures.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
• Skill in telephone etiquette.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Must have excellent interpersonal communication skills to effectively communicate ideas/problems/instructions (oral or written) with peers, and hospital leadership.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and families.
• Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) .
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent and adult).
• Ability to analyze situations, evaluate data, recommend/implement courses of action that would improve the functioning of systems/processes he/she is involved in.
• Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

BENEFITS:

• Insurance:
• Full time and part time employees (scheduled 20 or more hours per week) and their families are eligible to be covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Retirement Plans:
• Employees are able to enroll in the Company’s 401(k) plan or deferred compensation plan
• Paid Time Off/Vacation:
• Full-time Employees are eligible for 21 days of PTO annually. Part-time employees are eligible for also eligible for PTO depending on FTE.
• Extended Leave Bank sick hours accrue at a rate of 1.85 hour per pay period for Full-time employees, and is prorated according to hours worked for part-time employees
• Holiday hours are included in the PTO accruals
• Additional Benefits Information:
• www.benefits.uhsguest.com