Financial Counselor - Patient Access

The Financial Counselor is an advanced-level position responsible for performing comprehensive patient access and admissions functions while demonstrating elevated proficiency across all departmental workflows. This role is expected to maintain competency to provide interim coverage within any admissions area with minimal refresher training. The Financial Counselor facilitates patient access to Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital (CSMH) services by securing accurate demographic and financial information through registration and pre-registration activities, insurance verification, Third Party Liability (TPL) screening, Medi-Cal and Medicare eligibility verification, Workers' Compensation eligibility review, and collection of required patient payments, including co-payments, deductibles, and deposits. The position serves as a key resource for patients, families, and staff by clearly explaining financial information, addressing questions, and supporting a positive patient experience while maintaining compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

Principal Responsibilities:
 

• Performs admissions activities for pre-admit and face-to-face patient registration across inpatient, outpatient, and procedural areas, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely processing.

• Obtains financial clearance by verifying insurance coverage through electronic systems, payer portals, and direct payer communication, and determines the patient’s appropriate financial classification.

• Conducts thorough system searches to confirm or assign medical record numbers, ensuring data integrity and preventing duplicate records.

• Reviews physician selection and identifies privileging or suspension concerns, coordinating resolution with appropriate departments as needed.

• Demonstrates strong patient interviewing and customer service skills, interacting with patients and families with sensitivity to diverse populations and healthcare needs.

• Independently manages routine and complex inquiries from patients, representatives, physicians, and payers, escalating concerns appropriately when necessary.

• Explains financial obligations, including deductibles, co-payments, and estimated charges, and demonstrates effective point-of-service collection practices while meeting established collection goals.

• Screens uninsured or underinsured patients for eligibility for government programs and financial assistance and assists with application completion and submission in a timely and accurate manner.

• Educates patients regarding payment options, financial policies, good faith estimates, and available support resources to promote informed decision-making.

• Collaborates with physicians, clinical departments, case management, billing, and other operational teams to ensure accurate intake information, resolve financial concerns, and support continuity of care.

• Maintains proficiency in hospital information systems and related software applications used for registration, insurance verification, and financial documentation, with competency sufficient to support department operations.

• Compiles reports and retrieves data from available systems as requested to support operational needs and departmental decision-making.

• Manages assigned worklists daily, prioritizes tasks effectively, and assists team members as needed to maintain workflow efficiency.

• Demonstrates flexibility and competency across all functional areas within the registration/admissions department, supporting departmental coverage needs as required.

• Adheres to all applicable hospital policies and state, federal, and regulatory requirements related to patient access, financial practices, privacy, and compliance, and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:
 

• High School Diploma/GED, High School diploma/General Equivalency Diploma (GED) (Minimum)
• Bachelor's Degree, Hospital Administration or equivalent (Preferred)

Work Experience:
 

• 3 years Healthcare Revenue Cycle Experience (Preferred)

Licenses and Certifications:
 

• Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) Certification issued by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) (Preferred)