Financial Counselor

Financial Counselor

Opportunities at Northern Light Health, in strategic partnership with Optum. Whether you are looking for a role in a clinical setting or supporting those who provide care, we have opportunities for you to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. As a statewide health care system in Maine, we work to personalize and streamline health care for our communities. If the place for you is at a large medical center, a rural community practice or home care, you will find it here. Join our compassionate culture, enjoy meaningful benefits and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Financial Counselor primary function is to ensure a constant and reliable cash flow, maximize revenue collections, minimize accounts receivable losses (bad debt) and promote excellent public relations. The Financial Counselor is responsible for ensuring all accounts passing through the unit are screened for linkage opportunities and appropriate actions are completed.

Location : Mercy Hospital, 175 Fore River Parkway, Portland, ME 04102

This position is full-time, Monday Friday. Employees are required to work between the hours of 8 : 00 AM 4 : 30 PM EST including the flexibility to work occasional overtime and weekends based on business need.

Primary Responsibilities :

• Screens appropriate patients for possible healthcare coverage or financial assistance opportunities to determine eligibility, coverage levels and billing requirements
• Counsels patients as to financial responsibility while assessing suitability for in-house programs of Free Care, Discounted Care and Payment Plans. Ensure all accounts are screened for linkage opportunities and appropriate actions are completed
• Performs a daily check of all qualifying patients and assesses / offers financial assistance
• Functions as the liaison with various departments for determining financial options and financial counseling for scheduled procedures and price-shopping
• Records and prepares statistics for outreach of financial assistance programs offered
• Maximizes revenue collections
• Minimizes accounts receivable losses (bad debt) by use of workflows, technology and tools provided
• Maintains a safe environment complying with NLH policies and procedures; reports directly addresses environmental hazards and violations of patient safety policy and / or protocol when involved or observed
• May perform other duties upon request
• Identifies outstanding balances from patients previous visits and attempts to collect any amount due
• Functions as a Superuser for primary computer systems
• Proactively identifies process improvement opportunities
• Works on Special Projects as needed
• Performs the duties of a Financial Counselor (Patient Access)
• Maintains up to date knowledge of specific admission, registration and pre registration requirements for all areas