Financial Counselor, Patient Access - Bangor, ME

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 (Patient Access) 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 to ensure all accounts passing through the unit are screened for linkage opportunities and appropriate actions are completed.

This position is full-time, Monday – Friday. Employees are required to work between the hours of 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM EST including the flexibility to work occasional overtime and weekends based on business need.

We offer 1-3 months OR longer of paid onsite training. The hours during training will be 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM EST from Monday-Friday. Training will be conducted onsite at 489 State Street in Bangor, ME.

Our office is located at 43 Whiting Hill Road, Brewer, ME 04412. Employees will be required to work remotely with occasional days onsite as needed, after onsite training is complete. 

If you are located within a commutable distance to 43 Whiting Hill Road, Brewer, ME, you’ll enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid-remote position* as you take on some tough challenges.

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 inhouse programs of Free Care, Discounted Care and Payment Plans.  Ensures 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 and 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 patient’s 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

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma / GED (or higher)
• 2+ years of experience in a hospital, office setting, customer service setting, OR phone support setting
• Intermediate level of proficiency in Windows, Excel, and Microsoft Office, including the ability to type at the speed of 35+ WPM (words per minute)
• Must be 18 years old or older
• Ability to work remotely with occasional onsite as needed
• Ability to train onsite for 3 months OR longer at Northern Light Health & Medical Center, 489 State Street in Bangor, ME
• Ability to work any shift between the hours of 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM EST from Monday – Friday including the flexibility to work occasional overtime and weekends based on business need
• Influenza vaccination for the current flu season (typically August-May) or commitment to receive the influenza vaccination when available for the upcoming flu season

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years of electronic health record experience
• 1+ years of experience in a Hospital Patient Registration OR Patient Account Services

Soft Skills:

• Verbal and written aptitude for adequate communication with the public, physicians, physician office staff, Registration staff, and other healthcare professionals
• Must demonstrate the ability to work well with others and to work independently without direct supervision
• Must exhibit a caring attitude toward patients, co – workers, and other customers
• Ability to handle multiple priorities successfully
• Ability to demonstrate close attention to detail
• Ability to present in a professional manner
• Strong interpersonal, communication and customer service skills
• Ability to use multiple systems and multi-task

Telecommuting Requirements: 

• Reside within a commutable distance to 43 Whiting Hill Road, Brewer, ME
• Ability to keep all company sensitive documents secure (if applicable) 
• Required to have a dedicated work area established that is separated from other living areas and provides information privacy
• Must live in a location that can receive a UnitedHealth Group approved high-speed internet connection or leverage an existing high-speed internet service 

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location, and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups, and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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