Job Description

Job SummaryJOB SUMMARY
The Financial Counselor is responsible for screening self-pay patients for Charity Care eligibility, and the securing of reimbursement for services that fall outside of Charity Care. This includes screening Inpatients while they are in-house, with the goal of attaining eligibility determination prior to the patients' departure. This also includes following up with patients post-discharge, as necessary, to obtain any additional, required information, documentation, etc.

Requirements:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
People 20%
1. Communicates openly in a non-judgmental and professional demeanor during all interactions with customers and co-workers.

Service 20%
1. Notifies potential charity applicants of Charity Care availability and eligibility requirements.
2. Obtain required Charity Care eligibility documentation from potential applicants.
3. Initiate and complete follow-up work on applications and/or Charity Care work.
4. Use Search America and other resources, as applicable, to determine patients' eligibility for Charity Care.
5. Registers, Pre-registers, verifies insurance and obtains pre-certifications/authorizations when needed.
6. Secure reimbursement for Self Pay accounts that do not meet the Charity Care eligibility criteria and determine and negotiate cash discounts for self-pay population that fall outside of Charity Care.

Quality/Safety 20%
1. Completes account work timely and accurately within TMHS work driver application.
2. Ensures TMHS documentations standards are followed and account notations are made in TMHS work driver, HIS, and other appropriate TMHS systems timely and accurately.
3. Reports accidents promptly and corrects minor safety hazards.
4. Complies with applicable laws, regulation, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
5. Maintain the Corporate Charity log for all patients who have applied for Financial Assistance for this facility.
6. Follows all safety rules while on the job.

Finance 20%
1. Conduct research for accounts discussed during the weekly High Dollar Review meeting.
2. Participates in departmental and hospital performance improvement plan.
3. Achieve Financial Charity Goal monthly as prescribed by the CFO of this facility.

Growth/Innovation 20%
1. Performs functions to complete action items utilizing available systems, as applicable.

This position description is not intended to be all inclusive, and the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Houston Methodist Hospital reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
High School graduate or GED
College hours preferred
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum of 2 years of experience in financial counseling or patient accounting or patient access, or a combination, in a healthcare setting preferably in a hospital

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
Not applicable