Patient Financial Advocate (FT -2472) en OSS Health

JOB SUMMARY:

The Patient Financial Advocate is responsible for reviewing all scheduled surgeries and procedures, verifying insurance benefits, calculating the patient’s financial obligation, providing patients with a written financial estimate, and working with each patient to establish payment arrangements that are consistent with OSS Health’s financial policies. In addition, the Patient Financial Advocate works directly with patients to secure payment on existing or past due balances through a variety of payment plans and financing options. Provides and maintains outstanding levels of customer service. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:

Education:

• High school diploma or its equivalent required.

Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of related experience required.
• Certified:
• Professional certification through HFMA or AAHAM required.
• Must demonstrate a working knowledge of patient accounting in a healthcare setting.
• Experience and knowledge of billing practices and insurance coverage and benefits in a surgical setting required.
• Familiarity with medical terminology a plus.
• Ability to provide outstanding levels of customer service.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work under minimal supervision. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Reviews and monitors surgical case load and procedures throughout all lines of business with regard to pertinent financial responsibility information prior to procedure date.

o   Reviews and verifies all payment methods available for upcoming cases and visits.

o   Creates and sends estimate letters to patients based on verified benefits information acquired from insurance websites or other sources of insurance eligibility and benefits.

o   Contacts patients to verify receipt of estimate and to discuss payment arrangements prior to scheduled date of service.

o   Conducts personal face-to-face discussions with patients and provides them a written estimate of their expected out-of-pocket costs.

o   Documents all patient discussions and payment arrangements in patient accounting system 

·         Provides potential patients with self-pay pricing or estimates on out-of-pocket costs for requested services.

·         Collects co-pays, deductibles, coinsurances, and self-pay amounts due from patients.

·         Ensures financial arrangements agreed upon are being met; follows-up accordingly.  May assist with patient or insurance refunds.

·         Answers billing questions for OSS Customers either in person or on the telephone. 

·         Operates as an integral team member with co-workers by exerting professionalism and maintaining optimal levels of communication.

·         Maintains a professional attitude; is sensitive to OSS Health’s commitment to providing outstanding customer service, both internally and externally.

·         Other duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBIILTIES:

No direct reports to this position. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to communicate effectively with staff, peers, physicians and the public. Ability to speak and understand English fluently. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to sit for prolonged periods.  Light physical effort; some standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping; manual dexterity to operate keyboard and other equipment; detail oriented; able to maintain a pleasant and courteous demeanor under all circumstances.

 The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Climate controlled environment with occasional periods of being outside. 

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.