The Financial Counselor is responsible to provide financial assistance to patients with an inability to pay for services rendered. The incumbent is also, responsible to complete payment arrangements for unpaid balances not covered at discharge.
• Monitors pre-admits to determine patient financial history for appropriate referrals.
• Identifies indigent patients and begins the process for reimbursement from the appropriate government agency.
• Conducts discussions regarding financial matters of a highly sensitive nature with patients displaying the inability to pay while maintaining a respectful manner and protecting the hospital’s best interests.
• Determines payment sources or agency eligibility.
• Reviews medical records for eligible candidates for various charities.
• Assists patients with the application process for medical financial assistance.
• Evaluates and reviews financial information and prepares applications for submission to the appropriate agency.
• Works in conjunction with outside agencies to provide special accounts information.
• Verifies Medicaid eligibility and forwards appropriate forms to Patient Accounts.
• Maintains a working knowledge of funds and other resources available for qualified accounts.
• Ensures that accounts utilizing available resources meet standard qualification requirements.
• Monitors monthly patient payment arrangement accounts to ensure timely payment activity.
• Performs collections of delinquent contractual accounts in accordance with current policies and procedures to ensure proper cash flow.
• Identifies and communicates to management any concerns which could result in an adverse impact to the hospital’s cash flow.
• Performs other related assigned duties.
• Associate Degree in Business with two (2) years of demonstrated successful collections experience in a healthcare setting; OR
• High School Diploma with six (6) years of demonstrated experience in a Patient Financial Services, Business Office, or Patient Access office.
• Knowledge of private insurance and government program requirements.
• Knowledge of Fair Debt Collection Practices regulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be articulate and tactful when communicating with patients, families, agencies, and staff.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy environment.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse personalities.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive financial information.
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), the Healthcare System of Appalachia, and ranked as one of the Top 10 Employers in Kentucky by Forbes Magazine, is a not-for-profit health system operating 13 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Prestonsburg, South Williamson, West Liberty and Whitesburg in Kentucky; as well as Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies. ARH employs more than 6,000 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $330 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 600 active and courtesy medical staff members. ARH is the largest provider of care and single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third largest private employer in southern West Virginia, and is consistently recognized for its medical excellence.
