Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The comprehensive healthcare system includes a 473-bed academic medical center, a large outpatient Clinic & Specialty Center, and a network of clinics in the North Loop, Whittier, and East Lake Street neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and in the suburban communities of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and St. Anthony Village. Hennepin Healthcare has a large psychiatric program, home care, and operates a research institute, philanthropic foundation, and Hennepin EMS. The system is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County.

Equal Employment Opportunities: We believe equity is essential for optimal health outcomes and are committed to achieve optimal health for all by actively eliminating barriers due to racism, poverty, gender identity, and other determinants of health. We are committed to equitable care and working in an environment that celebrates, promotes, and protects diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to bringing in individuals with new cultural perspectives to assist in creating a more equitable healthcare organization.

Department: Financial Securing
FTE: 1.00 (80 hours per pay period)
Workdays: Monday - Friday and Rotating Weekends
Shift(s): Days
Shift Length: 8 hours
Location: In-Person

Purpose of this position: The Financial Counselor serves as Hennepin Healthcare’s primary contact for patient reimbursement issues in accordance with established credit and Financial Counseling policies. Provides information regarding hospital payment requirements, alternative financing, and charity care programs. All communications are conducted in a manner that will result in positive patient relations and prompt reimbursement for services. The responsibilities of the Financial Counselor include functions listed below as well as other duties as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meets with patients that present as self-pay or under-insured to obtain valid insurance coverage, confirms eligibility if applicable, and/or review prior accounts to update insurance coverage information;
• Notifies the appropriate departments of coverage information when necessary and enters account notes into the electronic medical record
• Educates, screens, and assists patients without valid insurance coverage with enrollment in programs including, but not limited to, Medicaid, other state-based and commercial-based assistance programs, and financial assistance
• Work closely with Social Services team to resolve financially related barriers that prevent the safe discharge of an inpatient to either the community or next appropriate care facility
• Works closely with Hennepin County DHS team to expedite applications that will assist in timely discharge
• Communicates with nursing home/rehab facility/etc on pending Medicaid application to assist in our patient being accepted to their facility, also to support timely discharge
• Collects monies from patients prior to admission and/or prior to discharge, including outstanding accounts receivable, advanced down payments from self-pay patients, and co-pays and deductibles from insured patients
• Work with the Division of Expanded Care team to get appropriate forms and applications completed when a patient needs a State of MN disability determination
• Educates patients on applicable policies, such as point of service collections, payment plans, and financial assistance eligibility during the interview process
• Researches, identifies, and rectifies any special circumstances affecting delayed payment of self-pay accounts
• Works in conjunction with on-site clinical care team or outside eligibility vendor to assist in the appropriate completion of Medicaid applications, ensuring this funding source is maximized based on patients’ eligibility
• Continues to stay informed of any statutes and regulations that could affect the collection of receivables (i.e., insurance company changes, collection regulations, etc.)
• Confers with third parties on the completion of forms, patient financial information, financial obligations, and hospital credit policy
• Meet and maintain initial and ongoing MN DHS and MnSure requirements and certifications that relate to performing the job functions of a Financial Counselor
• Completes procedures for filing Medicaid applications and/or other public assistance programs
• Follows up with all patients and necessary entities who need to return outstanding verifications for the determination of their eligibility for an assistance program
• Respond timely, accurately and professionally to patient and external and internal business partners, via phone, email, mail as appropriate
• Complete, process, follow up and approve or deny all financial assistance applications for the organization

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2 year degree in Accounting, Business, Healthcare Administration, Health & Human Services or related field
• 2-3 years exposure to payor systems and/or knowledge of public financial resources
• Bi-lingual strongly preferred, required for some positions

-OR-

• An approved equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Healthcare Administration or related field
• Understanding of Managed Health Care
• Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage tasks based on established criteria
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, within a team setting and be supportive of team members
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Experience using electronic health record or similar software program
• Ability to analyze issues and make judgments about appropriate steps toward solutions
• CRCR (Credentialed Revenue Cycle Representative) certification preferred
• Bilingual preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Familiarity with statutes and regulations that impact collection of past-due accounts
• Broad knowledge of government assistance programs, guidelines, and application procedures
• Able to communicate and respond to inquiries; requires effective interpersonal skills and ability to interact with patients to explain payment policies and persuade patients to settle account balances
• Experience using carious computer programs (Microsoft Office, OnBase, Rightfax Epic)

You've made the right choice in considering Hennepin Healthcare for your employment. We offer a wealth of opportunities for individuals who want to make an impact in our patients' lives. We are dedicated to providing Equal Employment Opportunities to both current and prospective employees. We are driven to connect talented individuals with life-changing career opportunities, enabling you to provide exceptional care without exception. Thank you for considering Hennepin Healthcare as a future employer.

Please Note: Offers of employment from Hennepin Healthcare are conditional and contingent upon successful clearance of all background checks and pre-employment requirements.

• We offer a competitive pay rate based on your skills, licensure/certifications, education, experience related to this position, and internal equity.
• We provide an extensive benefits program that includes Medical; Dental; Vision; Life, Short and Long-term Term Disability Insurance; Retirement Funds; Paid Time Off; and Tuition reimbursement.
• For a complete list of our benefits, please visit our career site on why you should work for us.