Financial Counselor

POSITION PURPOSE

Under general supervision of the Supervisor, the Financial Counselor collects information, processes applications, performs billing and claims management for the Walker County Indigent Care Program and other hospital charity programs. Works with clients to ensure applications are full and complete and in compliance with all federal, state, and local mandates. Reviews, and adjudicates claims for services. Coordinates follow up with providers, clinic, and hospital staff as needed. Serves as a liaison between Walker County Indigent Care program and hospital, clinic, and other providers. Works in the capacity as the first point of contact for customer calls and inquiries regarding program qualification, billing, and reimbursement.

LATITUDE, CONTACTS/INTERACTIONS

All positions of Huntsville Memorial Hospital are part of an interdisciplinary team, and as such, participate in the care and service delivery process through effective interaction with other team members.  Primarily interacts with hospital staff, medical staff, patients, and visitors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Frequent: sitting, standing, walking, & reaching.

Occasional: lifting, carrying, bending, & squatting,

Visual and hearing acuity required.  Work is inside, with good ventilation and comfortable temperature.

Possible exposure to: toxic/caustic chemicals or detergents, communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been made to make this job description as complete as possible.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties the incumbent will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position.

1.      Assists with interviewing clients for financial assistance programs, screening for: current insurance, residency and income (per Federal Poverty Guideline).

2.      Assists clients with the application process.

3.      Inputs demographics and patient data into appropriate database(s).  Obtains all documentation required to process a complete application including: income, identification, residency, and other supporting documentation, where applicable.

4.      Assists with gathering and inputting data into the Indigent Healthcare Systems database.

5.      Schedules appointments for clients.

6.      Coordinates client transportation and issues vouchers as needed.

7.      Processes provider invoices; keying services rendered accurately for appropriate claim adjudication.

8.      Resolves invoice discrepancies.

9.      Files documents and maintains files as required by policy.

10.  Faxes documents and reports as needed.

11.  Assists in gathering information for preparation of reports and statements.

12.  Transcribes correspondence and other documents from longhand copy.

13.  Answers phones and takes messages.

14.  Orders and maintains office supplies.

15.  Maintains various departmental logs.

16.  Reports system issues promptly to a member of the management team.

17.  Abides by the HMH Legal Compliance Code of Conduct. 

18.  Maintains a safe work environment and reports safety concerns appropriately.

19.  Maintains confidentiality and appropriate handling of PHI.

20.  Performs all other related duties as required and assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or GED required.  Graduate of a formal billing/coding program preferred.

Experience: Three years prior experience in a healthcare setting required. 

Required Skills: Excellent computer, customer service, written and oral communication skills.  Working knowledge of CPT codes, UB04 and 1500 claims processing, Texas Medicaid requirements, state and federal poverty guidelines, and state/county indigent program provisions and limitations.