The Financial Counselor is responsible for providing patients with a positive financial experience by helping patients navigate and understand insurance benefits and potential financial liability. Financial Counselors are the patient’s point of contact for financial assistance questions. The Financial Counselor collects payments, sets up payment arrangements as appropriate, creates estimates, advises patients in person and over the phone on their insurance benefits and coverage. The Financial Counselor assists patients with eligibility for government programs, Trinity Health’s financial assistance program, and other options for managing high medical liabilities.
Responsible for collection of all self-pay balances, discounting accounts as appropriate based on Trinity Care, uninsured and prompt pay policies and procedures. Financial Counselors are responsible for reviewing and placing delinquent accounts with outside collection agencies and working with them to procure payment of bad debt accounts.
The Financial Counselor position requires independent judgment and decision making to maintain the full range of tasks and responsibilities. The position requires the ability to plan, schedule and organize numerous tasks that directly impact hospital and physician reimbursement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Licenses and Certifications Required
None
Educational Requirements
High School Diploma or equivalent strongly preferred
Medical terminology and insurance knowledge, helpful but not required
Experience Requirements
Previous billing or cashier experience
Computer experience
Minimum of one (1) year experience in accounting or cashiering, balancing
Minimum of two (2) years customer service experience, preferably in a medical or financial setting
Minimum of one (1) year collections experience
Preferably 6 months knowledge of medical insurance billing and collections
Previous experience using computerized system for information storage and retrieval, required. Experience with Excel, Microsoft Word, Outlook Express, and current computer system helpful, but not required.
Special Skills or Training Requirements
Ability to work in a busy, loud, and demanding environment
Must independently recognize and evaluate situations for the level of urgency
Experience in providing a high level of customer service
Strong emotional intelligence and empathy
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Maintains effective and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, leaders, clinical staff and the public
Must be detail oriented and accurate. Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks
Displays an aptitude and willingness to learn new responsibilities
Willingly accepts feedback
Flexible and innovative
Ability to problem-solve and work independently
Displays a professional appearance
Dependable and reliable in achieving goals
Experience operating office machines such as personal computers, fax machines, photocopier, and document scanners
Familiarity with medical terminology and abbreviations
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information