Patient Financial Counselor

Overview

Full Time, Monday to Friday. Hours are 8:00‑4:30pm, 8:30‑5:00pm, or 9:00‑5:30pm – open to discussion.

Job Description Summary

Provides counseling to inpatients and outpatients concerning financial responsibility. Serves as the primary contact for patients and families regarding financial assistance and insurance coverage eligibility, partnering with the managed care group to verify insurance, obtain pre‑certifications, and determine benefits.

Essential Functions

• Interviews patients and/or family members to collect information on insurance coverage, eligibility, and qualification for financial assistance programs.
• Meets with patients/families on units to gather information not collected during admission and completes registration items such as insurance cards, prescription cards, and accurate demographic data.
• Assesses patient need for financial assistance during admission or prior to discharge.
• Determines eligibility for charity care at inpatient and outpatient levels and completes the charity application in accordance with NCH policies.
• Submits applications to Patient Accounts for final review and approval.
• Documents all discussions, events, and outcomes in the EPIC system.
• Responds promptly to inquiries about patient accounts and financial assistance policies.
• Maintains effective communication with other departments, staff, patients, and visitors.

Education Requirement

High school graduate, required. Associate’s degree preferred.

Licensure Requirement

Not specified.

Certifications

Not specified.

Skills

• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems with minimal supervision.
• Analytical and decision‑making skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to understand and retain complex, rapidly changing information.
• Knowledge of managed‑care trends impacting hospital operations.
• Familiarity with medical terminology.
• Team‑oriented and able to handle staffing during operational hours.
• Adaptability to workflow and process changes.
• Keyboarding/typing/data entry proficiency.

Experience

Two years’ experience in registration, collections, customer service, billing, or a related medical field is preferred. Familiarity with government, commercial, and third‑party billing is also preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Occasionally: handle chemicals/medications, climb stairs/ladder, work with communicable diseases, lift/carry 0–10lb, push/pull 0–25lb, push/pull 26–40lb, reach above shoulder, squat/kneel, stand, walk.
• Frequently: bend, twist, and perform tasks continuously.
• Continuous: audible speech, computer use, decision making, neck flexion/extension, hand use (grasping, gripping, turning), hearing acuity, data interpretation, peripheral vision, problem solving, repetitive hand/arm use, near/far vision, sitting.
• Additional requirements: multi‑tasking in a stressful environment.

Disclaimer

The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list and does not limit a supervisor’s authority to delegate, direct, or control employee work.

EOE M/F/Disability/Vet