POSITION SUMMARY

Encourages and assists patients in completing application to appropriate County, Federal, or State programs, to seek assistance in payment for services provided by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

PRIMARY (ESSENTIAL) DUTIES:

• Establishes and maintains follow-up system for contacting patients to insure that all applications for assistance are filed with the proper agencies before deadlines.
• Assists the patient or guarantor in completing and filing application forms at the proper agencies. May include visiting the patient's home to obtain proper applications
• Has thorough knowledge of eligibility criteria, forms and application procedures for County indigents, Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security and other resources for payment. Keeps abreast of changes in County indigency program, guidelines and procedures in Idaho and Washington welfare code regulations or other legal requirements that affect eligibility criteria, application procedures, etc.
• Identifies patients who may qualify for medical/financial assistance from County, State, VA or Federal resources. Reviews for COBRA insurance benefits, contracted services and transfers.
• Coordinates activities and information with Credit Counselors, Social Services and Utilization Review staff.

SECONDARY DUTIES:

• Coordinates county appeal cases with hospital attorney
• Maintains detailed records of all efforts on behalf of each patient served, including payment results. Compiles monthly summary statistics of activities and results. Prepares special reports as requested.
• Thorough knowledge of Medical Center admission procedures/credit policies; and explains application procedures and forms as well as hospital credit policies.
• Accompanies patients with appearances before County Commissioners or review boards to insure that patients' rights to financial assistance are protected.
• Provides transportation, if necessary, in order to get patients to County, State, or Federal offices for completion of application and review procedures.
• This is a productivity-based position in which results are reviewed every six months. The return to the hospital in payments for assisted accounts is expected to be at least seven times the amount of total expenses for this position. Failure to successfully attain the anticipated return over the evaluation period may be cause for termination.
• Demonstrates a commitment to the key values of Service to the Poor, Reverence, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity and Dedication.
• The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Responsible for all direct and follow-up efforts designed to produce enhanced payment of accounts receivable from third party sources of payment for medically indigent or uninsured patients whose accounts might otherwise produce bad debts.

DEPARTMENT RELATIONSHIP

• Supervised by the Patient Accounts Manager. This position has no supervisory authority over other staff. Supervisor is off-site. Must exercise independent judgment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• B.S. or Associate Degree required.
• Job related experiences in welfare eligibility and/or credit and collection preferred and may be substituted for college education.
• Goal-oriented person who enjoys challenging work.
• Able to follow through on procedures as defined by legal requirements and Medical Center policies.
• Must be at ease with public speaking and appearances.

PUBLIC CONTACT

• Must be skilled in interviewing patients to identify financial status and resources; proficient in oral communication to persuade and encourage patients to complete proper application forms and procedures and to advocate the Medical Center's position before County Commissioners and review boards.
• Must utilize skill in documentation of efforts toward securing financial assistance for each account worked. T
• his position has extensive contact with county welfare directors, attorneys, physicians, veteran affairs personnel, Medicaid and Social Security officials for pre-admit referrals and discharge needs.

GUEST RELATIONS

• Respect the personal dignity of each patient and honor the confidentiality of all information relative to the patient.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be able to drive an automobile; possess a valid driver's license and have a good driving record.
• Must speak clearly and articulately.
• Some driving in poor weather and road conditions may be required