Financial Counselor

Atchison Valley Hope has an exciting opportunity for a Financial Counselor to join our dedicated and passionate team!

For over 50 years, Valley Hope has specialized in providing addiction treatment and recovery services to those in need. We meet our clients where they are with love, compassion and respect, and guide them towards a journey of Recovery. This is the Valley Hope Way!

Are you ready to join an organization where you can make an extraordinary impact, conquering addiction one patient and family at a time? If so, Valley Hope welcomes you!

JOB SUMMARY:

• Leads and coordinates all patient financial planning activities at all levels of care in both residential and outpatient facilities; includes identifying payment sources of treatment (insurance, private pay, or patient financing), advising patients of alternative options, and/or securing patient financing for treatment.
• Serves as a liaison between residential and outpatient facilities to ensure continuity of care; provides referral source to outpatient facility as appropriate.
• Discusses alternative and non-traditional funding sources with patient/patient families when traditional insurance coverage is not available.
• Advises patients/patient’s family of financing options available through third-party provided loan programs; answers questions, provides estimates of financial responsibility, and reviews payment arrangements.
• Collects and reviews patient financial data, and determines eligibility for financial assistance including patient’s ability to pay and secure payment arrangements in accordance with company policies and programs and regulatory compliance.
• Performs pre-qualification assessment and analysis of patient’s financial condition specific to secondary/recourse loans available through third-party provided loan program; analyzes and assesses the risk of financing requests within the framework of the company’s policies and programs.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary case review; advises facility management team and clinical counselor of any related financial liability to Valley Hope as well as financial issues that may impact or limit a patient’s treatment days (inclusive of any impact when a patient is transitioning to the next level of care).
• Assists the patient and/or family members in the process of completing, submitting, and processing of applications for securing loans through third-party loan programs.
• interfaces with third-party loan providers on behalf of patient applicants; works to resolve issues related to patient loan application processing, approval, and payment services.
• Works with Utilization Review and serves as point of contact for questions or concerns related to all patient insurance inquires.
• Maintains routine contact with the Business Office, Utilization Review, insurance providers, and third-party loan providers in support of patient financing and treatment activities.
• Manages patient accounting activities including maintaining current and accurate records of all patient financing activities; ensures patient account records are updated in a timely manner.
• Collaborates with the Business Manager for tracking and recording patient financial activities against revenue and budget goals.
• Meets or exceeds productivity metrics tied to annual revenue and budget goals; identifies bad debt risk and advises facilities management of potential impacts to annual goals.
• Participates in facility performance improvement activities with a focus on patient financing and maximizing cash flow. Collaborates with facility management staff to identify and implement improvement activities as appropriate across the facility.
• Maintains a current working knowledge of patient financing and alternative resources to traditional insurance for treatment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Required:

• Associate’s degree in a business-related field or equivalent work experience.
• Three (3) plus years of work experience in financial counseling, financial planning, credit underwriting, or healthcare office management.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field with a preference in business administration or finance.
• Five (5) plus years of work experience in financial counseling, financial planning, credit underwriting, or healthcare office management.
• Work experience within business office management in substance abuse treatment facility.

COMPENSTATION:

• Starting Base pay: $50,000 - $60,000 (based on experience and education)

BENEFITS:

• Affordable health, dental, and vision insurance
• Tuition Assistance – Up to $10K annually; $45K maximum benefit
• 8 Paid Holidays (Including 1 Personal Holiday)
• PTO – Up to 25 Days per year based on years of service
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Health Saving and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplemental Insurance
• And much more!

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills; demonstrated ability to speak effectively with patients, vendors, co-workers, and leadership.
• Well-developed analytical skills; ability to assimilate large volumes of information, prioritize issues, form conclusions and determine appropriate action.
• Self-directed and motivated to accomplish tasks; ability to make sound and timely decision, to consistently delivery on commitments, and assume responsibility for results.
• Well developed and proven organizational skills with ability to utilize time efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficient in MS Office applications, which include Outlook, Word, and Excel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Office setting with traditional hours within a residential and/or outpatient treatment facility.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to travel – estimated at 15-20% of the time.