Patient Financial Counselor

Overview

The Financial Counselor serves as a patient advocate by delivering clear and accurate information about a patient’s financial obligations in relation to their oncology visits and/or treatment. This position requires a strong knowledge of social work and advanced understanding of managed care processes to help the patients navigate their financial obligations. The Financial Counselor will work directly with uninsured and underinsured patients (sometimes face to face) to provide guidance and coordination to seek financial resources available.

In addition, they will work with patients to understand their current insurance benefits, as well as guide them to other resources such as patient assistance agencies that aid patients with substantiated financial needs. This position will work closely with the intake center and managed care coordinator staff. The position will also work closely with social workers in the clinics and serve as a member of the patients’ overall care process.

• Guide patients and their families in both English and Spanish through the financial process by working directly with them to understand the financial obligations related to their care.
• Work directly with uninsured or underinsured patients both in person and over the phone to provide guidance and coordination to seek financial resources available prior to scheduling in both English and Spanish.
• Discuss application process with patients and assists to transfer to OHSU Registration or Patient Financial Services as appropriate.
• Research other patient assistance programs to assist with costs of care.
• Assist with questions about billing policies, billing statements, and denial/appeals.
• Help with understanding insurance benefits and obligations.
• Assistance with completing important paperwork for patient assistance programs, if applicable.
• Guidance through the appeals process if denial of coverage occurs.
• Review accounts for potential financial assistance candidates.
• Coordinates with other applicable staff within Patient Financial Services for uninsured patients who may be eligible for Medicaid or other funding.

• Using various social work techniques, screens patient’s financial needs from a psycho/social aspect and determines current/anticipated impact and concern.
• Works directly with patients and family in both English and Spanish to provide information related to financial expectations. Delivers this information with compassion.
• Advocates on behalf of patients to care team to determine visits and treatment based on the patient’s financial situation.
• Facilitates the coordination of follow up on requested financial assistance and/or other resources.
• Works closely with social workers in clinic and clinical team to present update on patient’s financial situation.
• At all times must exemplify high quality customer service in both English and Spanish to both external customers as well as internal customers that meet or exceed the service standards set by OHSU.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education or a related field.
• Three years of experience which shows a knowledge of casework methods and techniques.

• knowledge of medical and insurance terminology and Medicaid/Medicare.
• Knowledge of the implications of the effect of illness, injury and/or disability on patients and their families.
• In depth knowledge of insurance requirements needed, forms, and understanding of out of network payers, secondary networks, non-local, national insurances.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate with patients, caregivers, insurance plan representatives, and hospital leadership.
• Certificate of successful completion in Spanish language, issued by OHSU Translation and Interpreter Services Department’s current process.

• Master’s degree in Social Work or related field.
• In depth knowledge of financial counseling process and patient financial assistance program qualification.
• Two years of social service work experience providing supportive counseling to clients.

Remote work.…