Patient Financial Counselor

Position Summary The Patient Financial Counselor -- Pre-Service Financial Clearance supports scheduled outpatient surgeries, procedures, and other designated services before the date of service. This role verifies insurance coverage, prepares patient estimates, communicates expected financial responsibility, collects deposits, establishes approved payment arrangements, and connects eligible patients with financial assistance resources. The position works closely with patients, provider offices, scheduling, patient access, and the business office to support a smooth and transparent pre-service experience. Key Responsibilities Verify insurance eligibility, benefits, network status, deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and remaining out-of-pocket amounts. Review available prior authorization information and identify discrepancies involving scheduled services, procedure codes, providers, dates, or coverage. Prepare accurate pre-service estimates using approved eligibility, contract, chargemaster, and estimation resources. Provide required Good Faith Estimates to uninsured or self-pay patients according to organizational procedures. Contact patients before service to explain estimated responsibility and available payment options in clear, compassionate language. Collect required deposits, establish payment arrangements within approved guidelines, and document receipts or payments. Explain financial assistance, charity-care, and third-party financing options and assist with appropriate referrals or applications. Document contact attempts, estimates, payment discussions, arrangements, unresolved barriers, and financial clearance status. Track pending accounts through resolution and escalate unresolved authorization, payment, estimate, or patient-contact issues. Collaborate with patient access, provider offices, scheduling, and revenue cycle teams Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with hospital policies, HIPAA, collection standards, and applicable estimate requirements. Minimum Qualifications Associate or bachelor's degree in business, healthcare administration, finance, accounting, or related field. One to three years of experience in healthcare revenue cycle, insurance verification, patient access, medical billing, collections, account resolution, or financial counseling. Ability to accurately calculate deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, deposits, and account balances. Experience with electronic health records, patient accounting, eligibility, payer portal, billing, or estimation systems. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and routine office technology. Ability to protect confidential patient, insurance, and financial information. Preferred Qualifications Experience with outpatient surgery, procedural scheduling, or pre-service financial clearance. Knowledge of commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, medical terminology, CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 terminology. Experience with patient estimation tools, financial assistance programs, payment plans, or third-party financing platforms. What Success Looks Like Clear, compassionate, and confident financial conversations with patients. Accurate estimates, calculations, data entry, and documentation. Timely outreach and consistent follow-through before the date of service. Sound judgment, appropriate escalation, and respect for approval limits. Strong organization, attention to detail, teamwork, and customer service.