Financial Counselor, Patient Access

Inpatient Financial Counselor

$3,000 SIGN ON BONUS FOR EXTERNAL APPLICANTS

Opportunities at Northern Light Health, in strategic partnership with Optum. Whether you are looking for a role in a clinical setting or supporting those who provide care, we have opportunities for you to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. As a statewide health care system in Maine, we work to personalize and streamline health care for our communities. If the place for you is at a large medical center, a rural community practice or home care, you will find it here. Join our compassionate culture, enjoy meaningful benefits and discover the meaning behind: Caring. Connecting. Growing Together.

The Inpatient Financial Counselor (Patient Access) primary function is to ensure constant and reliable cash flow, maximize revenue collections, minimize accounts receivable losses (bad debt) and promote excellent public relations. The Financial Counselor is responsible for ensuring all accounts passing through the unit are screened for linkage opportunities and appropriate actions are completed.

Our office is located at Maine Coast Hospital, 50 Union St., Ellsworth, Maine.

We offer 1-3 months of on-the-job training at Eastern Maine Medical Center is 489 State Street, Bangor. The hours of the training will be aligned with your schedule.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Screens appropriate patients for possible healthcare coverage or financial assistance opportunities to determine eligibility, coverage levels, and billing requirements
• Counsels' patients as to financial responsibility while assessing suitability for in-house programs of Free Care, Discounted Care and Payment Plans. Ensure all accounts are screened for linkage opportunities and appropriate actions are completed.
• Performs a daily check of all qualifying inpatients and assesses/offers financial assistance prior to discharge
• Functions as the liaison with various departments for determining financial options and financial counseling for scheduled procedures and price-shopping
• Records and prepares statistics for outreach of financial assistance programs offered
• Maximize revenue collections
• Minimizes accounts receivable losses (bad debt) by use of workflows, technology and tools provided
• Maintains a safe environment complying with NLH policies and procedures; reports directly addresses environmental hazards and violations of patient safety policy and/or protocol when involved or observed
• May perform other duties upon request
• Identifies outstanding balances from patient's previous visits and attempts to collect any amount due
• Functions as a Superuser for primary computer systems
• Proactively identifies process improvement opportunities
• Works on Special Projects as needed
• Performs the duties of a Financial Counselor (Patient Access)
• Maintains up - to - date knowledge of specific admission, registration, and pre - registration requirements for all areas

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED (or higher)
• 2+ years of customer service experience in a hospital, office setting, customer service setting, or phone support setting
• Intermediate level of proficiency in Windows, Excel, and Microsoft Office, including the ability to type at the speed of 35+ WPM (words per minute)
• Ability to work any shift between the hours of 7:30AM - 4:00PM EST, Monday - Friday
• Ability to train for 1-3 months upon starting at 489 State St, Bangor, ME 04401
• Influenza vaccination for the current flu season (typically August-May) or commitment to receive the influenza vaccination when available for the upcoming flu season
• Must be 18 years of age OR older

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years of electronic health record experience
• 1+ years of experience in a Hospital Patient Registration OR Patient Account Services

Soft Skills:

• Verbal and written aptitude for adequate communication with the public, physicians, physician office staff, Registration staff, and other healthcare professionals
• Must demonstrate the ability to work well with others and to work independently without direct supervision
• Must exhibit a caring attitude toward patients, co - workers, and other customers
• Ability to handle multiple priorities successfully
• Position requires close attention to detail
• Must present in a professional manner
• Strong interpersonal, communication and customer service skills
• Ability to use multiple systems and multi-task

**PLEASE NOTE** The sign-on bonus is only available to external candidates. Candidates who are currently working for UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare or a related entity in a full time, part time or per diem basis ("Internal Candidates") are not eligible to receive a sign on bonus.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $17.74 to $31.63 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.