Financial Counselor I

The Financial Counselor assists patients and their families with a host of services to ensure that the process of collecting payments is fully explained and is as comfortable as possible.

Essential Functions

• Understands the importance Orlando Health places on providing exemplary customer service and performs job functions in a manner that helps meet the department customer service goals.
• Demonstrates a positive and professional approach and communicates effectively with customers and team members at all times.
• Efficiently and accurately gathers and inputs patient/guarantor demographic and financial information
• Contacts Primary Care or Admitting Physician to obtain authorizations, diagnosis, and procedure detail as necessary.
• Explains necessary forms and obtains signatures from patient/guarantor.
• Contacts appropriate payers, verifying benefits and obtaining necessary authorizations.
• Explains insurance benefits and collects co-pays, deductibles and self-pay portions due.
• Collects for related professional care when appropriate.
• Documents authorization and benefit information in registration system.
• Assembles patient record and obtains copies of relevant documents including insurance cards, photo identification cards and any advance directives.
• Demonstrates a basic knowledge of third party reimbursement requirements and regulations.
• Exhibits competency in the use of all registration systems, electronic verification tools and Web based resources.
• Follows Patient Financial Services self-pay policies including completion of Guarantor Financial Statement Application, explanation of payment options and collections of monies due.
• Follows Patient Financial Services policies related to cash handling.
• Performs basic individual cashiering functions.
• Collects and inventories patient valuables following policy guidelines.
• Maintains basic understanding of the medical necessity screening process and appropriate systems.
• Performs appropriate pre-registration functions including calling physician offices, insurance payers and the patient/guarantor, as necessary.
• Maintains departmental logs for statistical reporting.
• Consistently meets Quality Assurance standards set by Patient Access and the department.
• Meets departmental goals regarding collections, productivity and customer service.
• Maintains flexibility in work schedule availability that allows department to change/modify work schedule to meet departmental needs.
• Meets federal, state and hospital requirements related to compliance issues.
• Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.
• Attends and participates in department staff meetings and attends other meetings as assigned.
• Responsible for reviewing and adhering to all Patient Financial Services and departmental education initiatives.
• Meets all corporate and Patient Financial Services annual recertification and education requirements.
• Assists his/her manager in planning and organizing department activities.

Education/Training

• High School or equivalent.
• Must complete Patient Financial Services Orientation program and annual educational requirements.

Experience

• Two (2) years’ experience in a financial, business office, or customer service environment required.
• Proficient in Windows Microsoft Office-based products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Typing proficiency.
• One (1) year PC/Windows experience.