Financial Counselor, OBGYN (Finance)
At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.
As the region's adult academic health system, we strive for innovation and provide world-class care for not only our community, but patients from all over the world. Join our team and you'll be able to develop your skills, grow your career, build relationships with your peers and patients, and help us be a source of hope for our friends and neighbors.
UC Health is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of employment.
The Financial Counseling department is responsible for acting as the patient advocate to secure some form of sponsorship for uninsured/underinsured, medically necessary services. The associates follow the Stratified processing environment principles of stratification by focusing mainly on inpatient and high dollar outpatient account most likely to qualify for Medicaid.Required: High School Diploma/GED. Preferred: Associate's Degree. | Bilingual associates will need be a Certificate of Qualified Medical Interpreter. | Four years' experience as a Social Services Income Maintenance Case Worker or previous experience in a hospital-based Medicaid Referral Program.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
• Working knowledge of Federal, State, and Local Medicaid laws and regulations.
• General knowledge of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Disability requirements.
• Strong analytical and communication/interviewing skills, including verbal, non-verbal and listening skills.
• Fundamental math skills and abilities.
• Self-motivation and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Basic knowledge of hospital insurance plans and Medicare regulations.
• Developed computers skills including use of Microsoft Word and Excel, Electronic mail.
• Must be familiar with patient accounting systems and processes, computer systems and applications.
• Must be able to work in a high stress environment, dealing with customers' emotional and medical situations.
• Ability to work in situations indigenous to a hospital environment.SCREENING PROCESS:
Conducts financial screening of uninsured patients at bedside or with other responsible party to gather pertinent information to determine potential Medicaid or other program eligibility.
Uses experience and detailed knowledge of all Local, State and Federal program requirements to determine which program(s) best coincide with the needs of the patient.
Assesses the need for and obtains all pertinent information relevant to the selected program(s).
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:
Serves as patient advocate by assisting patients with matters pertaining to Medicaid, Social Security and Hospital Financial Assistance eligibility.
Represents patient for all applicable programs. Obtains signed patient consents enabling hospital staff to serve as authorized representatives on behalf of the patient for all County, State and Federal programs.
Interacts with County Case Workers, addresses issues, answers questions and assists with all aspects of the application process including, but not limited to, appropriate liquidation of assets and resources. Cases are followed from initiation to completion.
Completes County Department of Job and Family Services applications along with Social Security applications.
Delivers forms and medical information via electronic communication to Social Security office for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income applications.
Obtains copies of pertinent medical evidence to send to Disability Determination Services.
FOLLOW UP:
Assures that each pending Medicaid account is reviewed and managed in a timely and appropriate manner.
Travels to County Department of Job and Family Services or other agencies to assist with interviews, applying on the patient's behalf, or submitting information.
Travels to businesses, other hospitals or agencies to obtain needed information as required.
Reviews all Medicaid application denials to determine if these denials are in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Represents the patient and the hospital during local and state appeals, providing the Hearing Officer with information conducive to a favorable decision. Presents arguments in favor of patient's eligibility and enters all relevant exhibits into the official Hearing Records in the proper manner.
Recognizes potential application of precedence in previous hearing decisions and demonstrates leadership skills through problem solving abilities.
DOCUMENTATION AND SYSTEM UPDATES:
Verifies patient data and updates system as needed.
Documents all contacts, correspondence, verifications and reasons for denials for future reference by department and other departments that require it.
Updates the systems unit when Medicaid is not attainable so that other financial arrangements can be made. Confirms Medicaid eligibility and enters eligibility into the computer to ensure proper billing reimbursement.
COMMUNICATION:
Utilizes communication skills to obtain necessary information while conveying sensitivity to patient/family. When necessary, tested bilingual associates will interact with non-English speaking patients.
Maintains close contact with patients/family members to satisfy concerns and provide additional information about applying and qualifying for programs.
Contacts physicians or other medical personnel and utilizes medical documents regarding the patient's medical conditions to determine length of disability.
Provides verification of patient charges to County Department of Job and Family Services to show Spend Down deductibles have been met.
Consults with the manager on difficult cases or as issues arise.
Attends required educational sessions and completes any requirements of those sessions.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Other Duties as assigned
Maintains up to date detailed knowledge of Medicaid and Social Security programs, rules, guidelines and laws that govern the agency's application and referral process.SCREENING PROCESS:
Conducts financial screening of uninsured patients at bedside or with other responsible party to gather pertinent information to determine potential Medicaid or other program eligibility.
Uses experience and detailed knowledge of all Local, State and Federal program requirements to determine which program(s) best coincide with the needs of the patient.
Assesses the need for and obtains all pertinent information relevant to the selected program(s).
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:
Serves as patient advocate by assisting patients with matters pertaining to Medicaid, Social Security and Hospital Financial Assistance eligibility.
Represents patient for all applicable programs. Obtains signed patient consents enabling hospital staff to serve as authorized representatives on behalf of the patient for all County, State and Federal programs.
Interacts with County Case Workers, addresses issues, answers questions and assists with all aspects of the application process including, but not limited to, appropriate liquidation of assets and resources. Cases are followed from initiation to completion.
Completes County Department of Job and Family Services applications along with Social Security applications.
Delivers forms and medical information via electronic communication to Social Security office for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income applications.
Obtains copies of pertinent medical evidence to send to Disability Determination Services.
FOLLOW UP:
Assures that each pending Medicaid account is reviewed and managed in a timely and appropriate manner.
Travels to County Department of Job and Family Services or other agencies to assist with interviews, applying on the patient's behalf, or submitting information.
Travels to businesses, other hospitals or agencies to obtain needed information as required.
Reviews all Medicaid application denials to determine if these denials are in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Represents the patient and the hospital during local and state appeals, providing the Hearing Officer with information conducive to a favorable decision. Presents arguments in favor of patient's eligibility and enters all relevant exhibits into the official Hearing Records in the proper manner.
Recognizes potential application of precedence in previous hearing decisions and demonstrates leadership skills through problem solving abilities.
DOCUMENTATION AND SYSTEM UPDATES:
Verifies patient data and updates system as needed.
Documents all contacts, correspondence, verifications and reasons for denials for future reference by department and other departments that require it.
Updates the systems unit when Medicaid is not attainable so that other financial arrangements can be made. Confirms Medicaid eligibility and enters eligibility into the computer to ensure proper billing reimbursement.
COMMUNICATION:
Utilizes communication skills to obtain necessary information while conveying sensitivity to patient/family. When necessary, tested bilingual associates will interact with non-English speaking patients.
Maintains close contact with patients/family members to satisfy concerns and provide additional information about applying and qualifying for programs.
Contacts physicians or other medical personnel and utilizes medical documents regarding the patient's medical conditions to determine length of disability.
Provides verification of patient charges to County Department of Job and Family Services to show Spend Down deductibles have been met.
Consults with the manager on difficult cases or as issues arise.
Attends required educational sessions and completes any requirements of those sessions.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Other Duties as assigned
Maintains up to date detailed knowledge of Medicaid and Social Security programs, rules, guidelines and laws that govern the agency's application and referral process.
