Revenue Cycle Financial Counselor & Collections Specialist

Position Summary

The role of the Revenue Cycle specialist is a valued member of our Revenue Cycle team. As a Revenue Cycle Specialist, you will work remotely and be responsible for overseeing bill processes including Charge entry, Billing, Claims, Patient AR and Insurance AR. You will also post payments, handle credit resolutions, along with other revenue cycle functions.

Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm

Location: Hybrid; 2-3 days onsite in Tacoma. Potential to transition to fully remote after training period.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Counselor Responsibilities:

• Create detailed, accurate cost estimates for patients based on insurance coverage, procedure codes, and contracted rates.
• Review insurance benefits and verify patient eligibility prior to services.
• Clearly communicate financial obligations, insurance coverage, and payment options to patients.
• Proactively contact patients to discuss cost estimates and secure pre-service payments or payment plans.
• Document all financial counseling activities and patient interactions in the billing system.

Collections Specialist Responsibilities:

• Contact patients with outstanding balances via phone, email, and mailed statements.
• Set up, negotiate, and monitor patient payment plans in accordance with organizational policies.
• Resolve billing discrepancies and work with insurance companies to clarify underpayments or denials when necessary.
• Maintain detailed records of all collection activities and communications.
• Escalate delinquent accounts appropriately to external collections agencies when necessary.
• Maintain a respectful and empathetic approach when discussing balances with patients to preserve patient relationships.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and organizational policies regarding collections (e.g., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act).

Shared/General Responsibilities:

• Maintain confidentiality and safeguard patient financial information (HIPAA compliance).
• Work collaboratively with front desk, clinical staff, and billing departments to ensure a smooth financial experience for patients.
• Identify trends or frequent issues with insurance payers and report to billing leadership.
• Meet or exceed monthly collection and counseling performance targets.

Education/Experience

• High School diploma or GED
• Minimum 1-2 years medical collections experience
• CPC or other equivalent certification
• Orthopedic Coding Experience a plus
• Experience with Nextgen and Amkai Billing Systems preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• High level of independence, adaption, and accuracy
• Ability to navigate online Payor portals and websites
• Ability to effectively use Office equipment
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and Outlook
• Superior customer service skills
• Great interpersonal skills; demonstrating patience, composure, and cooperation; working well with all patients, physicians, and staff
• Understanding of and adherence to all safety, risk management and precautionary procedures, including the consistent respect for confidentiality (HIPAA)
• Using time efficiently, with meticulous attention to detail, accuracy, and completion
• Ability to manage multiple factors for the best result
• Resourcefulness in addressing first level problems and tenacity to see things through to solution
• Ability to remove oneself personally from given situations, remaining objective
• Able to adapt to change, delays or unexpected events while maintaining a positive mindset
• Clear oral and written communication
• Ability to provide feedback to improve performance
• Self-motivated; able to work following specific guidelines and in accordance with detailed instructions; measure self against standard of excellence, overcome obstacles and challenges with little supervision

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work environment/physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable differently abled persons to perform the essential functions.