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Houston Methodist · 4 days ago

Financial Counselor - Full Time - Days

The Woodlands, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

3+ years exp

Houston Methodist is seeking a Financial Counselor to lead financial counseling efforts at The Woodlands Hospital. The role involves educating patients on insurance benefits, collecting financial information, and contributing to patient satisfaction while ensuring effective revenue cycle processes.

Health CareMedical

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal departmental and organizational results

Supports team members with questions regarding eligibility/benefit information for patients receiving services. Seeks management assistance appropriately

Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism and effectively engages with a diverse customer base, including patients/visitors, physician office staff, and representatives from internal departments and external organizations. Gives appropriate status updates

Contacts and educates patients on matters related to insurance benefits and payment options or collects past balances including bad debt. Answers any questions posed by the patient related to a billing or financial concern

Counsels patients regarding potential financial assistance eligibility and the process for application. Collects financial information from patient and other sources (e.g., financial profile from electronic database)

Contributes to patient, employee, and physician satisfaction as well as effective revenue cycle process

Reviews the completed application for accuracy, making the initial determination for approval and alerting the department manager of potential concerns

Enters and updates patient data into the electronic medical record with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy and timeliness. Completes assigned work queues

Reviews in-house self-pay patients and assures they receive financial counseling, as applicable. Collaborates with applicable vendor to identify all sources of potential payment to secure funds for hospital (e.g., COBRA, worker’s compensation, etc.). Provides financial updates on a regular basis, which can include updating reporting and/or participating in regular meetings with case management and finance for in-house patients to ensure timely discharge planning and financial clearance

Completes financial assistance calculation worksheets and submits for appropriate level of approval

Collects patient payments and performs other complex financial counseling functions (e.g., extended payment arrangements, discounts, single case agreements, case rates, etc.) by following department procedures to ensure all collection activities are accurately followed. May perform cashier functions

Fulfills monthly goals for cash collection

Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members

Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development

Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve finance, quality, or service

Qualification

Financial counseling experienceInsurance terminologyProficient in medical terminologyLeadership skillsOrganizational skillsCustomer service skillsComputer skillsInterpersonal skillsProblem-solving abilityAdaptability

Required

High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

Three years of experience in financial counseling, patient accounting, or patient access in a healthcare setting, preferably in a hospital

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

Demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average patient access functional skills

Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers

Ability to analyze and solve problems

Well-developed organizational skills with ability to multi-task and utilize time efficiently

Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment and modify approaches or methods to best fit the patient's situation

Knowledge of payer requirements, authorizations, and insurance terminology

Proficient understanding of medical terminology and diagnosis/procedural codes

Ability to remain calm in stressful situations with patience and understanding

Excellent customer service and professional communication skills

Proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs and payer websites

Ability to handle detail work accurately and rapidly