Patient Financial Counselor

Collects monies due from the patient or makes acceptable financial arrangements with the patient or guarantor prior to services being performed.

May be assigned additional duties in the absence of the Director of Patient Accounts/Health Information as necessary.

Communicates with the CFO as necessary and completes additional temporary duties as requested.

Communicates with the patient or guarantor as the need for alternative financial arrangements arise.

Works closely with the Patient Account Representative who does prior authorization approvals and initiates up-front collections with patients per policy. Assists Registration Clerks in performing up-front collections as needed.

Become trained in the Wisconsin Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility program to better assist our patients in becoming eligible for WMA. This will involve ongoing training, monitoring and ensuring compliance with the program guidelines.

Reviews reports that are created when patient statements are run on a monthly basis prior to sending to the extended business office.

Reviews itemized bills with patients as needed when they present to facility. Assists with mailing out itemized bills as requested by patients.

Works with patients in applying for financial assistance and submits applications to the Director of Patient Accounts/Health Information for approval. Follows up with patients to notify whether or not approved. Tracks approved patients to ensure that discount is applied appropriately throughout year as hospital services are utilized. Ensures ongoing follow-up with patients whose FA eligibility terms, and they are continuing to receive medical care from Spooner Health

Reviews all accounts and performs collection steps as directed by follow-up listings.

Works closely and communicates effectively with the extended business office vendor.

Reviews local newspapers for obituaries and legal notices. Takes appropriate action with active accounts receivable.

Assists Director of Patient Accounts/Health Information with creation of collection reports and ensures that all in-house collection efforts have been exhausted. After CFO and CEO approve the list of accounts, sends accounts to collection agencies and provides follow-up as necessary with collection agencies.

Works closely and communicates effectively with the collection agencies to monitor bad debt recoveries, small claims accounts, and Medicare bad debt.

Works closely with the Admission and Billing sections of the Patient Accounts Department.

Visits all self-pay inpatients upon admission to assist patient in determining payment methods for stay.
Pursues 3rd party assistance for self-pay patients, 100% of inpatient self-pay patients assessed for available financial assistance, follows cases and converts to appropriate status as soon as possible.

When admission forms for inpatients and swing bed patients are incomplete, visits those inpatients as soon as possible after admission to secure the proper authorization from the patient (consent forms, HIPAA forms, Medicare notices, etc.).
Knowledgeable regarding outpatient registration versus inpatient registration.

Has effective communication skills and the ability to clearly convey the mission and values of the organization to employees, customers, and the community.

Orients business office staff, as necessary, in areas of collections and acceptable payment arrangements.

Participates in staff meetings, continuing education programs, continuous quality improvement programs and quality assurance. Attends mandatory in-services yearly, CPR, Fire, Safety, Disaster and Infection Control. Complies with universal blood and body fluid precautions.

Ensures departmental and employee compliance with Infection Control policies and procedures, blood and body fluid precautions and other pertinent policies and procedures.

Ensures the provision of age specific care to patients from newborn through geriatric.

Adheres to personnel and department policies and procedures.

Exhibits and promotes a positive attitude and outlook in the workplace and in the community. Demonstrates behavior that is conducive to the professional operation of the organization.

Participates in and is an advocate of departmental and interdepartmental communication within facility to facilitate improved customer service and patient outcomes.

Reports to work when scheduled and demonstrates flexibility of personal time when requested to come in on a scheduled day off.

Adheres to facility and departmental safety policies. Notifies supervisor of any safety concerns/hazards to staff and/or patients/residents.

Successfully completes required annual job specific competency testing.

Work time is used productively, equipment and supplies are taken care of properly (cost conscience use of supplies, disposable/non-disposable/recycled), breaks and lunches are within the time allotted.

Ensure cooperation of department staff with other departments within facility to facilitate improved customer service and patient outcomes.

Participates in facility sponsored events as a representative of the hospital.

Any other duties assigned by supervisor.