Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital · 1 day ago
Financial Counselor (Hybrid)
Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to delivering world-class care. The Financial Counselor role involves providing exceptional customer service to patients, assisting them with financial assessments, and minimizing financial risks associated with patient accounts.
Hospital & Health Care
Responsibilities
Consistently practices Patients First philosophy and adheres to high standards of customer service. This includes setting an example to peers, coworkers, etc. by fostering a team atmosphere
Responds to questions and concerns
Forwards, directs and notifies Team Lead or Operations Coordinator of extraordinary issues as necessary
Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA regulations
Provides exceptional customer service to consumers which establish a positive first impression of Northwestern Medicine
Exceed all consumer requests and alert management of issues or concerns that require escalation
Identifies and works to minimize potential financial risk of patient accounts through financial reports, systems information or direct contact
Identifies and counsels financially unsecured patients regarding payment options or financial assistance programs based on department policies and procedures
Assists patients with completing financial assessment applications, makes eligibility determinations, and promptly notifies patients of outcome
Requests and collects patient deposits for self-pay patients receiving future services
Works closely with Facility MANG Representatives, Insurance Verification Team, Case Management, Central Scheduling, Ambulatory Registration, Admitting and Registration Departments, and Physician Practices to expedite prompt and appropriate resolution of patient accounts
Identifies patients with potential insurance coverage issues, including but not limited to limited coverage, and lack of in-network status
Follows department policies and procedures in regards to soliciting financial deposits, identification of in-network providers for out-of-network patients, and communication back to clinical team(s) and/or patient
Provides walk-in availability for patients with financial concerns, facilitates payment arrangements including those for Package programs, and accepts payments as necessary
Handles phone calls pertaining to aforementioned scope and provides price estimates as appropriate for the type of service requested
Adheres to all financial counseling and collection guidelines as established by Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
May conduct in-person interviews of patients receiving care while the patient is on-site
Performs telephone follow-up with unsecured patients who were not interviewed during their visit
Upon identification, Financial Counselor communicates with unsecured patients with identified patient liabilities
Complies with and meets all provisions of 501R Regulations, Fair Billing Act, and Hospital Uninsured Discount Program
Other duties as assigned
Communication and Collaboration:
Reports on activities, issues, and any action items to management and staff
Ensures responses to patient and customer inquiries, and assistance to others are performed completely, accurately, and within the time frames defined within division standards, objectives, and goals
Works collectively to meet established Dept. goals
Technology:
Documents all patient interactions in Billing System
Efficiency, Process Improvement, and Business Growth:
Meets and/or exceeds departmental, divisional, and institutional goals
Adheres to NM, divisional and departmental quality standards. Identifies opportunities for and participates in process improvement activities
Creates work that is consistently accurate and reliable
Identifies barriers to processes and performs corrective action in order to reduce or eliminate errors
Shows attention to detail, uses reasoning skills and is sufficiently organized to produce quality work
Qualification
Required
High School Diploma or equivalent
2-3 years customer service or medical office experience
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Proficiency in computer data-entry/typing
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
Basic Computer Skills
Ability to type 40 wpm
Ability to multi-task
Customer service oriented
Excellent organizational, time management, analytical, and problem solving skills
Preferred
Bachelor's Degree
Additional language skills
Healthcare finance and/or healthcare insurance experience
Knowledge and experience in a healthcare setting, especially patient scheduling and/or registration
Benefits
$10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
$10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
$1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
$250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part-time)
Matching 401(k)
Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
Life insurance
Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
Paid time off and Holiday pay
Company
Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital
Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital is a 201-bed community hospital with 700 physicians board-certified in 90 medical specialties, conveniently located in offices throughout Lake County.