Financial Counselor

Assess patient financial needs and collect deposits according to Hospital Billing and Collection Policy in a professional and courteous manner.

Screen patients and assist with applications for applicable governmental programs, the health insurance exchange, and/or the *** financial assistance program.

Stress customer service and positive interpersonal relations while working closely with Admitting/Registration, Preauthorization, Care Management, appropriate department personnel in Patient Financial Services and MCW Clinical Practice Services in addressing financial responsibilities.

For patients who are identified as self-pay, claim financial hardship, or inability to pay, initiate timely account resolution activities to address the issue while attempting to allow elective patient care to proceed as scheduled.

Monitor applicable Financial Counselor work queues to ensure that all initial patient financial activities have been completed, and that account balances not previously secured through insurance verification or other confirmed subsidy sources are addressed in a timely manner.

Review Financial Counselor work queues on an ongoing basis to ensure payment source has been secured for all discharged self-pay patients when applicable.

Update the patient accounting system as activities have been completed and as patient account problems/issues have been addressed, in accordance with Patient Financial Services policies/procedures.

Counsel patients to guide them through the application and eligibility process with Medicaid offices, Victim of Crime, Insurance Exchange, and other resources available to patients to cover *** services.

Assist patients with the Financial Assistance application process according to protocols set forth in the ***, Community Physicians, and Medical College of Wisconsin Financial Assistance policies.

Based on patient ability to pay and urgency of medical need, collect patient deposits after estimating the approximate costs of anticipated care.

Calculate, provide, and update estimates upon necessity to various staff and patients.

Calculate, provide, and update estimates upon request to various staff, patients, and other potential customers.

Communicate with Social Services, Case Management, Admitting/Registration, appropriate department personnel, and the physician (as applicable) to discuss unresolved patient financial problems and determine alternatives to the elective patient care plan.

Enforce hospital patient accounting and compliance processes by confirming that required documents have been completed, insurance (re) verification has been performed, and precertifications/re-certifications obtained.

Cross-train and provide backup coverage for all Financial Counselor positions as determined by the Team Coordinator or Patient Financial Services Manager, including PM shift, weekend, or holiday coverage.

Assist patients during open enrollment period to apply for a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) and/or Insurance Affordability Programs.

Adhere to document storage and destruction policies/procedures.

Adhere to all state and federal regulations along with policies/procedures pertaining to the Certified Application Counselor responsibilities.

Stay current on regulatory updates and policy/procedure changes pertaining to Certified Application Counselors at ***.

One year of experience in healthcare/revenue cycle functions (or other business office), case management, or social work is required.

Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel and other software programs is preferred.

Experience using Epic in a healthcare environment is preferred.

Experience in social work or case management is preferred.

High School diploma or equivalent is required.

Bachelor s degree in social work, case management, healthcare administration, business administration, or other related field is preferred.

State of Wisconsin and Federal Certified Application Counselor Designation is required or must obtain within 12 months after hire.