Position Summary

The Patient Financial Counselor evaluates the financial situation with patients to arrange a method of payment for services rendered consistent with organizational targets. Works directly with patients to negotiate pre-payments, payment plans, sends collections letters, and manages accounts to be processed for collection.

This is a full-time position, working on-site at our Wausau office.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Manages the financial counseling process directly with patients and negotiates payment plans for self-pay accounts, high deductible accounts, patient balances, and past collection and bankruptcy accounts.
• Processes hardship, bankruptcy, and other adjustments on accounts. Researches and posts bad debt write-offs and self-pay write-offs.
• Reviews and processes Suit authorizations from collection agency.
• Reviews upcoming appointment and meets with or calls patients to review balances, make payment plans, collect pre-pays, and assist with gathering benefit information, if needed.
• Assists patients with billing concerns.
• Sends collection letters, initiates phone calls to collect unpaid and past due balances, processes accounts for collection, and manages bankruptcy and estate filings. Manages patient balances of aged accounts payable.
• Reviews Medicaid balances and completes co-pay letters, follows-up after 30 days and either writes-off or sends an additional letter.
• Handles infusion copay assistance program applications and ensures patient enrollment is up-to-date annually.
• Serves as a resource to patient registration staff in resolving problems.
• Keeps current with all internal and external policies and procedures that may affect patient accounts.
• Promotes positive and effective working relationships and works as part of a team to facilitate teamwork.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education
  • High school diploma required.
• Licensure/Certification
  • Advanced training/certification in billing, coding, and/or insurance highly preferred.
• Experience
  • Minimum of three-years of medical office experience in billing, coding, and insurance.

Competencies Required

• Knowledge
  • Working knowledge of medical and insurance terminology.
  • Basic knowledge of CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 coding.
  • Up-to-date knowledge on state and federal fair debt collection regulations and billing regulations and requirements.
• Skills
  • Possesses interpersonal, communication, and listening skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with patients, physicians, and all staff members.
  • Proficient computer skills working in an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Practice Management software, and Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Internet.
  • Demonstrates professionalism and respect in all forms of communication and correspondence.
  • High level of accuracy and efficiency when working with patient financial and related data.
• Abilities
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of fiscal and health information.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced, multi-tasking environment and cope with rapidly changing demands while working as a team member.
  • Ability to prepare and gather information accurately and efficiently.
  • Ability to balance compassion for patient's financial situations with business objectives.