Patient Financial Counselor - Joslin Diabetes Center

Overview

The Patient Financial Counselor primary responsibilities are to assist patients classified as Self-Pay and Free Care with the goal of managing and reducing associated Accounts Receivable. 

Hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

After initial training period, a hybrid option is available if desired with a rotating one week on-site and one week remote schedule.

As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. We require that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of assigned work logs/files to current status.
• Collaborate with CAO’s to obtain Self Pay estimates.
• Responds to patient inquiries regarding billing and collection issues.
• Counsels patients/guarantors who express financial difficulties, advising of budget plans, Joslin Free Care and MassHealth programs. Provides instructions to eligible patients on how to apply for benefits. Processes Free Care applications and maintains Free Care records.
• Updates demographic and insurance information; requests insurance rebills as appropriate.
• Accepts payments for walk-ins and over the phone credit card payments; processes such payments following established procedures. Collaborates with Administrative Coordinator for international Self Pay estimates and regularly meets with self-pay patients at time of visit to obtain payment for services. Supplies itemized bills to patients upon request.
• Reviews self-pay credit balance reports; submits requests for patient refunds and or moves credit to open balance.
• Prepares weekly accounts to be transferred to collection agency.
• Works closely with collection agency to report payments or update status on accounts placed.
• Reviews unapplied payment report and post money to accounts accordingly.
• Responsible for updating system once Bankruptcy has been identified
• Responsible for working weekly bad address report, return mail statements and updating system with all invalid addresses
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree in Business or Accounting preferred
• Minimum 3 years of billing experience in a medical office setting with direct patient contact
• Medical Billing Certificate preferred or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of medical insurance specific to government and managed care programs
• Proficiency with Microsoft office Products
• NextGen experience is a plus but not required
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to manage several tasks with minimal supervision under pressures of deadlines and fluctuating workload
• Skilled in math to handle billing and collection issues
• Ability to communicate with patients and vendors over the phone, in person and in writing
• Adheres to HIPAA privacy and confidentiality guidelines and regulations
• Ability to maintain a thorough knowledge of third party requirements