Financial Clearance Associate

Financial Clearance Associate

The Financial Clearance Associate supports the Financial Clearance Center by ensuring patients receive a seamless experience through accurate verification of insurance eligibility, benefits, and financial requirements. The Financial Clearance Associate also assists with pre-authorizations, financial counseling, and documentation to help maintain smooth financial operations for patient care. MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention, and the Financial Clearance Associate plays an important role in supporting this mission by helping patients understand and navigate the financial aspects of their care.

The Financial Clearance Associate contributes to efficient departmental operations by collaborating closely with Patient Access, clinical teams, and payors to resolve eligibility concerns, document benefit information, and communicate financial expectations. The Financial Clearance Associate maintains accuracy, professionalism, and timely communication to ensure a positive experience for every patient.

The ideal candidate has experience with insurance verification, benefit interpretation, and patient financial counseling, along with preferred background in healthcare financial systems, pre-authorization workflows, and payor requirements. Strong communication skills and attention to detail support success in this role.

Minimum $21.88 Midpoint $27.40 Maximum $32.93 The typical work schedule is 7am - 7pm plus a 4 hour shift to equal 40 hours per week. Day/Evening, Rotating, Varied, Weekends. Work Location: 100% Onsite Required

As a Financial Clearance Associate, you support MD Anderson's mission by helping patients understand their financial responsibilities and ensuring all financial processes are accurate and timely. This role provides opportunities to strengthen expertise in healthcare finance while contributing to an environment that values professional development and work-life balance.

Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance. Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options. Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups. Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

• Verify patient eligibility using institutional and payor systems within required timeframes
• Obtain and document effective dates and coverage details
• Notify Patient Access and patients promptly when eligibility cannot be verified
• Update and confirm insurance information in accordance with department policies
• Document benefit details including product type, network status, copayments, deductibles, co-insurance, and coverage limits
• Monitor work lists daily to identify required pre-authorizations
• Obtain pre-authorizations from payors or vendors and document reference numbers and contact information
• Review and document clinical trial coverage responsibilities between sponsors and insurers
• Review cost estimates and calculate patient liability
• Discuss payment requirements and collect amounts due
• Explain payment plan options and financial assistance programs
• Submit required documents such as PFA and COBRA for supervisor approval
• Document all communications with patients, payors, vendors, and internal departments accurately
• Respond to emails, phone calls, and messages within one business day
• Maintain courteous, professional interactions with patients, physicians, payors, and business partners
• Escalate financial clearance and counseling issues to the Supervisor or Coordinator as needed
• Participate in training and mentoring opportunities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Preferred: Associate's Degree Business or healthcare.

Work Experience

• Required: 3 years Experience in healthcare, insurance, customer service, hospitality, business or related field. or
• Required: 1 year Required experience with preferred degree.
• Preferred: 5 years Business experience in healthcare, insurance, or a multi-specialty physician practice. Experience with registration, patient access, and/or patient services.

Licenses and Certifications

• Preferred: CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate Upon Hire
• Preferred: CHAM - Certified Healthcare Access Manager National Association of Healthcare Access Management. Upon Hire

Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.