Financial Counselor

Northwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. Northwell cares for more than three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Northwell is New York State’s largest private employer with over 104,000 employees — including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners — who are working to change health care for the better.

Summary

Financial Counselor is responsible for assisting primarily uninsured and under-insured patients as they move through the financial continuum from scheduling through claim adjudication. Financial Counselors work directly with patients to maximize reimbursement through governmental programs and alleviate patient obligations through the Organization�s Financial Assistance Program. The position requires a high degree of intellect and critical thinking skills to make appropriate decisions of a complex nature which can have a significant financial impact on the Organization. Staying abreast of ever-changing laws and regulations mandating Medicaid eligibility and adherence to the Organization�s Financial Assistance Policy are essential components of the job. The Financial Counselor works both independently and as productive members of a highly collaborative team, to secure reimbursement whenever possible, and assist our patients with qualifying for charitable assistance from the Organization when reimbursement is not feasible.

Responsibilities

• Assists uninsured and underinsured patients with applying for State and Federal governmental assistance programs, as well as charitable assistance from the Organization. Helps patients gather all appropriate documentation and completes all necessary applications.
• Conducts interviews at bedside to ensure optimal customer service and personal attention.
• Refers potentially qualified patients to the best source of financial assistance available based on the patients unique financial circumstance and future medical needs. This may include performing a complex analysis of the patients assets and financial liabilities. Must comprehend how the intricacies of the patients unique financial status relate to the regulations mandated by existing assistance programs.

4 . Works in collaboration with Clinical Resource Management, providers, clinical departments, revenue cycle departments and the Insurance Verification Team to address patients financial needs and secures potential sources of funding. Collaborates expeditiously to ensure patients timely advancement through the continuum of care.

• Performs insurance eligibility verification and executes payer requirements as needed. Includes initiating eligibility transactions via the internet, contacting the payer to obtain eligibility, benefits and billing information. Updates information to ensure that correct financial classification and information is on patients accounts. May discuss Medicare Lifetime Reserve days with patients or designated representatives.
• Collects payments from patients, including prompt pay discounts and discusses payment arrangements.
• Participates in the continuum of the life of a claim by working collaboratively with the collection departments to identify patients that may need assistance. Includes review and recommendation for bad debt based on historical patient information.
• Stays abreast of ever-changing laws and regulations mandating Medicaid eligibility.
• Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position. Maintains a high level of ethical integrity while processing applications for government funding and other assistance programs.
• Maintain and Model Nuvance Health Values.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and predictable attendance.
• Performs other duties as required.

Education and Experience Requirements

Associates degree and four years of job related experience, or equivalent experience. Bachelors Degree preferred.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements

MS Excel, Word, Outlook.

Exceptional customer service and organizational skills.

High degree of intellectual proficiency and critical thinking skills. The ability to make appropriate decisions regarding situations of a complex nature.

Bilingual in Spanish or Portuguese preferred.

License, Registration, or Certification Requirements

Certified Access Counselor through Access Health CT within 1 year of hire.

NY Assister certification through NYS Marketplace within 1 year of hire.

National Association of Healthcare Access certification or HBI Certification within 1 year of hire.

Company: Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Org Unit: 1037

Department: Patient Access

Exempt: No

Salary Range: $24.00 - $37.94 Hourly