Patient Financial Counselor

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Provides financial counseling and guidance to patients regarding insurance coverage, cost estimates, and payment options prior to service. Verifies benefits, explains financial responsibility, and supports enrollment in financial assistance programs. Collaborates with patients and internal teams to ensure financial clearance and reduce barriers to care. Supports revenue cycle performance through accurate documentation, timely collections, and mentorship of team members.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

1. *Verifies insurance eligibility, benefits, and authorization requirements.

1. *Explains patient financial responsibility, including deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket costs.

1. *Provides cost estimates and establishes payment arrangements prior to services.

1. *Assists patients with financial assistance, charity care, and medication assistance programs.

1. *Collects payments and supports financial clearance workflows.

1. *Communicates with patients to resolve financial concerns and ensure understanding of options.

1. *Maintains accurate documentation of financial counseling activities.

1. *Mentors and supports team members in financial counseling processes.

1. *Coordinates with clinical, billing, and administrative teams to support patient access.

1. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

1. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

1. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*”).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Maintains role competencies as required for the department and completes annual skill competency verification and mandatory education

1. Knowledge of patient accounting operations and quality improvement techniques.

1. Knowledge of credit and collection practices, third party payer regulations, and Joint Commission regulations.

1. Knowledge of federal regulations including COBRA, HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, and Bryan Medical Center’s Corporate Compliance Plan.

1. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

1. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

1. Ability to perform crucial conversations with desired outcomes.

1. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel and medical staff.

1. Ability to problem solve and engage independent critical thinking skills.

1. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

1. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

1. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Two (2) years of healthcare billing, insurance verification, financial counseling or related experience required. Must be 19 years of age to witness legal consents.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) – Characterized as sedentary work requiring exertion up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. #LI-RH1