Financial Advocate

Department: 10339 Enterprise Revenue Cycle - Enrollment:
Midwest

Status: Full time

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Hours Per Week: 40

Schedule Details/Additional Information:

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Additional Details: This is an onsite Financial Advocate Enrollment position based at Lutheran General Hospital. The primary responsibility is assisting uninsured and underinsured patients with obtaining healthcare coverage, including Medicaid, Marketplace plans, and other financial assistance programs. Responsibilities include bedside patient visits, face-to-face interviews, gathering financial information, completing applications, obtaining documentation, and following up on eligibility determinations. The position works closely with Care Management, Social Work, Nursing, Registration, and other interdisciplinary teams.

It is a full-time, patient-facing role requiring strong customer service, organization, and the ability to manage multiple cases in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Pay Range: $22.90 - $34.35

Major Responsibilities:

• Calculates and provides patients with personalized estimates of their financial responsibility based on their insurance coverage prior to service.
• Communicates patient liability clearly and accurately while adequately explaining concepts such as deductibles, coinsurance, and/or copayments and how they may affect the cost of care. Explains how non-covered and out-of-network services factor into the out-of-pocket cost.
• Requests upfront payment toward self-pay amounts, including estimated out-of-pocket costs and outstanding previous balances. Establishes payment arrangements in advance of scheduled services when applicable, communicating due dates and the amount of each installment.
• Interviews uninsured patients to assess for qualifying financial needs. Identifies available assistance programs and coordinates with patient to complete paperwork and applications for any potential coverage(s). Continues follow-up efforts to obtain a funding source for patient’s health services.
• Initiates credit scoring to determine each patient’s eligibility for Medicaid, hospital-sponsored charity care, and other programs through a comprehensive patient interview.
• Works in conjunction with state social worker and/or outside eligibility vendor to assist in the appropriate completion of Medicaid applications, ensuring this funding source is maximized based on patients’ eligibility.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of insurance benefits, insurance companies, and Marketplace insurance options, and stays informed of other payer sources entering the markets.
• Educates physician office/patient on the organization’s applicable policies such as Financial Assistance Policy, Patient Financial Responsibility, Non-Covered Services, and Deferral of Care. Coordinates with provider office to determine scheduling options based on the need to secure funding and clarify patient’s financial responsibility.
• Stays current on regulations and eligibility requirements for government funding, especially Medicare and Medicaid. Understands and complies with all internal charity care policies and processes. Understands, complies with, and can articulate federal regulations around 501R. Performs in a HIPAA-compliant manner with all pertinent patient interviews, including management of demographic data, topics discussed, and actions taken.
• Collaborates with peers in the operational flow for uninsured patients or patients that are concerned about costs for upcoming services. Serves consumers in various settings, including virtual, bedside, Emergency Department room, clinic exam room, Urgent Care, consult space, or a Financial Resource Specialist office.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification

Required:

• No…