Patient Financial Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Patient Financial Counselor

On-site, Billing Office, Tallahassee, FL | Full-Time | Monday–Friday 8:00am–5:00pm (EST), with one rotating 9:00am–6:00pm lock-up shift per week | Work location in person

Join a Team That Truly Cares

Southern Vitreoretinal Associates (SVA) is seeking a Patient Financial Counselor to join our Central Billing Office. This role is ideal for someone who is compassionate, dependable, highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working independently while helping patients navigate their healthcare financial responsibilities.

The Patient Financial Counselor serves as an important liaison between patients, clinical staff, the billing team, and insurance companies . Much of the patient interaction takes place by phone and involves sensitive conversations regarding account balances, financial responsibility, payment options, financial assistance, and payment arrangements.

We are looking for someone who can approach these conversations with patience, empathy, and professionalism , while also confidently communicating SVA's financial policies and expectations. The successful candidate will be both patient-focused and accountable , taking ownership of their work, managing responsibilities with minimal supervision, and following through on outstanding issues without constant direction or reminders.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for individuals who bring both skill and heart to their work:

• Compassionate and patient professionals who understand that conversations about healthcare expenses can be sensitive and who treat patients with dignity and respect
• Dependable, detail-driven individuals who take ownership of their responsibilities and follow through
• Self-motivated and self-reliant professionals who can manage their workload independently without constant direction or follow-up
• Strong communicators who can explain financial information clearly, professionally, and with empathy
• Confident professionals who are comfortable discussing balances, payment options, financial assistance, and payment arrangements with patients
• Highly organized individuals who can manage multiple accounts, priorities, deadlines, and follow-up responsibilities while maintaining accuracy
• Problem-solvers who can identify account discrepancies, research issues, and determine appropriate next steps
• Accountable team members who recognize what needs to be done and take initiative to address it
• Adaptable professionals who can work independently while collaborating effectively with patients, clinical staff, billing team members, and insurance companies
• Individuals who understand the importance of confidentiality, accuracy, professionalism, and compliance when handling patient and financial information

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Experience with , patient financial services, medical billing, healthcare collections, or Revenue Cycle environment preferred
• Experience working directly with patients on their out-of-pocket payments, cost estimates and balances
• Working knowledge and experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and medical billing software
• Understanding of private insurance rules, regulations, reimbursement requirements, and billing practices
• Experience with CareCredit or other healthcare financing programs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite , including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of assigned responsibilities
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling patient and financial information

What You'll Do

As a Patient Financial Counselor, you'll play an important role in helping patients understand and meet their financial responsibilities while supporting SVA's Revenue Cycle. Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing upcoming appointments and patient accounts to identify balances due and support timely collection of patient responsibility
• Collaborating with front desk and clinical staff to coordinate time-of-service collections in accordance with SVA policy
• Communicating with patients primarily by phone regarding account balances, financial responsibility, payment options, and available financial assistance
• Providing patients with clear and accurate information regarding their financial responsibility
• Assisting patients who may qualify for CareCredit or other available financial assistance options
• Establishing appropriate payment arrangements with patients and monitoring accounts to support successful payment
• Collecting estimated patient responsibility, including copays, deductibles, coinsurance, and other balances due
• Reviewing patient accounts and processing appropriate transfers and adjustments to ensure payments are accurately applied
• Verifying and updating patient demographics, employment, and other information necessary to properly manage patient accounts
• Reviewing patient credits and processing refunds when appropriate
• Contacting patients regarding returned payments and working with them to arrange an alternate payment method
• Managing patient statements and collection letters in accordance with SVA collection policies
• Communicating with the outside collection agency and monitoring accounts placed for collection
• Reviewing probate information for deceased patients and completing appropriate documentation to support reimbursement for services rendered
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation of patient financial activity, communications, payments, arrangements, and account information
• Using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel , to organize, track, reconcile, and maintain account and financial information
• Protecting patient confidentiality and complying with applicable laws, regulations, and SVA policies

Why You'll Love Working With Us

Work-Life Balance

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Monday–Friday schedule
• Predictable daytime hours with one rotating 9:00am–6:00pm lock-up shift per week
• Bereavement leave and jury duty pay

Great Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a generous employer-paid portion
• Employer-paid life insurance and short-term or long-term disability (based on position)
• Access to supplemental benefits such as accident and critical illness coverage

Perks That Matter

• Employer-matched 401(k)
• Employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSA), when applicable
• Scrubs allowance

Training & Growth

• Opportunity to develop and strengthen skills in patient financial services and healthcare Revenue Cycle operations
• Work alongside experienced billing and healthcare professionals
• Develop knowledge of insurance requirements, patient responsibility, payment options, and healthcare financing
• Opportunity to contribute to process improvements that enhance both financial performance and the patient experience

Ready to Grow With Us?

If you're compassionate, organized, self-reliant, and detail-driven , and you're comfortable helping patients navigate sensitive financial conversations, we'd love to meet you.

At SVA, we understand that discussing healthcare expenses can sometimes be difficult. The Patient Financial Counselor helps make those conversations easier by providing patients with clear information, available options, and respectful guidance.

At the same time, this position requires someone who can take ownership, stay organized, work independently, and follow through . Your ability to combine compassion with accountability can make a meaningful difference for our patients while supporting the financial health of SVA.

If you're looking for a role where your communication skills, attention to detail, organization, and ability to work independently are valued, we'd love to hear from you.

Southern Vitreoretinal Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by law.

Southern Vitreoretinal Associates is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you need assistance or accommodation during the application or hiring process, please notify Human Resources.

Southern Vitreoretinal Associates participates in the E-Verify program as required by law.