Financial Counselor

Financial CounselorFranciscan Medical GroupTacoma, WashingtonRequisition ID 2022-250454 Employment Type Full Time Department Patient Financial Counseling Hours/Pay Period 80 Shift Day Weekly Schedule 8:30am-5:00pm Remote No Category Billing and SchedulingOverviewIn 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.As a part of our organization, we currently offer the following benefits:Competitive starting wages (DOE) and training to grow within the company

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Health/Dental/Vision Insurance

Flexible health spending accounts (FSA)

Matching 401(k) and 457(b) Retirement Programs

Tuition Assistance for career growth and development

Care@Work premium account for additional support with children, pets, dependent adults, and household needs

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family

Voluntary Protection: Group Accident, Critical Illness, and Identify Theft

Adoption Assistance

Wellness Program

ResponsibilitiesFranciscan Medical Group, as part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, is currently seeking a full-time Financial Counselor for the Franciscan Medical Group Patient Access team. Excellent opportunity for growth and flexible schedules. No weekends or organizationally recognized holidays.Job Summary:This job is responsible for providing timely and accurate information to patients who require assistance in understanding and navigating through their financial options. Work includes: 1) providing/explaining detailed financial information to patients and counseling on costs, payment methods and financial options, including charity care; 2) assisting patients in completing Medicaid/Medicare/private insurance applications; and 3) accepting, processing and reconciling payments.Work requires knowledge of insurance authorization/billing and privacy/confidentiality practices, as well as knowledge of medical terminology and insurance payor (specifically Medicaid) requirements and the charity care approval process. Work also requires maintaining current knowledge of all applicable financial programs and tools. An incumbent follows proper channels of communication in handling daily and routine problems and recognizing issues that need escalation to management. Strong customer service skills, attention to detail and the ability to accurately and timely troubleshoot/resolve (within position scope) issues that have a potential impact on revenues are also required.The job exists in central locations, and while there may be minor differences in job content, they are not significant for classification purposes. Overall, the nature of the work and job requirements are consistent between locations.Essential Job Duties:Explains financial options and provides financial counseling to patients, to include information with regard to charity care, Medicaid/Medicare/private insurance applications and other financial options.Works with clinic staff to proactively identify patients having potential need for financial assistance.

Connects with patients who have questions regarding billing processes, clinic statements and availability of financial assistance; reviews current insurance and financial situation and explains in detail all options available to the patient, including costs, payment methods and payment alternatives (e.g. charity care, Medicaid, etc.).

Documents financial arrangements for future care.

Reviews current account status prior to patient interactions to validate continued accuracy of information (e.g. patient address, phone number, insurance, etc.); updates patient accounts with pertinent notes on related matters; copies/scans patient information into correct location in the electronic medical record.

Obtains and provides cost estimates and explains insurance benefit coverage to patients as needed.

Serves as an internal resource for charity care and/or financial assistance-related questions.Provides answers to charity care and/or financial assistance questions from medical and support staff regarding health plan eligibility, cost estimates, benefit issues, co-pay requirements and financial options.

Collaborates with vendors (e.g. Conifer) regarding billing issues and hospital charity care and/or financial assistance.

Facilitates processing of financial assistance/charity care applications.Receives and processes charity care and/or financial assistance applications in a timely and accurate manner; explains eligibility parameters and specific guidelines and responds to general questions from potential applications; gathers and verifies documentation to assure applications meet all standards and requirements.

Monitors and completes encounters in work queues to include, but not limited to: credit balances, denial follow up and patient accounts in an accurate and timely manner following established procedures; assures that incomplete work is assigned to other staff.Performs daily payment reconciliation activities; accepts, processes and reconciles payments received; closes out cash drawers.

Documents all activities and findings in accordance with established policies and procedures; ensures the integrity of all account documentation; maintains confidentiality of medical records.Meets quality assurance and productivity standards for timely and accurate posting of charges/payments in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.

Performs related duties as required.QualificationsEducation/Work Experience:Two years of related work experience in a medical office or other healthcare environment that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge and abilities.

Apply (https://careers-commonspirit.icims.com/jobs/250454/login)Equal OpportunityCommonSpirit Health™ is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed toa diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered foremployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genderidentity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status,ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protectedby law. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant,pleaseclick here. (https://tbcdn.talentbrew.com/company/35300/img/v10/EEOLawPoster.pdf)CommonSpirit Health™ will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).External hires must pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with an arrest and/or conviction will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as applicable local ordinances, ban the box laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances.If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by telephone at (415) 438-5575 and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).CommonSpirit Health™ participates in E-Verify.