Eligibility Specialist I
About the role
Work Schedule and Location: Work Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week, hourly position. Flexibility required, with shifts available between Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm to meet business needs. Primary Hospital Locations: This position is onsite and will be required to service the primary hospital locations of: Mercy Medical Center – 1325 N Highland Ave., Aurora, IL. 60506 Additional Locations (Support as needed, in limited capacity, for vacancy coverage): St. Joseph Medical Center – 333 Madison St., Joliet, IL. 60435 St. Joseph Hospital – 77 N Airlite St., Elgin, IL. 60123
Responsibilities
- Serve as a patient advocate, meeting with patients in-person, including bedside, to assess eligibility for financial assistance programs.
- Guide patients through complex application processes for programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Disability, and hospital charity care, ensuring timely submission of accurate documentation.
- Collaborate across teams, acting as a liaison between patients, hospital staff, and government agencies to secure coverage and resolve eligibility issues.
- Manage a high case load effectively, prioritizing tasks, following up on pending applications, and meeting deadlines while also adhering to productivity and quality expectations.
- Communicate with clarity and empathy, explaining financial responsibilities and assistance options in ways that patients can understand.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
- Use multiple systems and tools to document, track, and report on patient information.
- Support operational needs, including providing limited staffing coverage at nearby hospital locations as needed.
- Complete special projects, as assigned.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Proficiency in English and Spanish
- 1+ years of experience in a customer-facing role (financial counseling, healthcare, social services, or similar environments preferred)
- Basic knowledge of state and federal assistance programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security Disability
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and maintain accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to explain complex information clearly and empathetically
- Comfort working in fast-paced environments with changing priorities
- Genuine care for patients’ needs and concerns
- Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license
Qualifications
- None specified
Skills
- Compassion
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA accounts, short-term and long-term disability insurance, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, life insurance, supplemental insurance, spouse and dependent life insurance, pet insurance, and legal insurance
- Wealth benefits: 401(k) with company match, company HSA contributions, and access to certified financial planners
- Generous paid time off: 17 days PTO for full-time colleagues with increases based on tenure, 9 paid holidays and 40 hours of paid volunteer time each year through our Heart & Soul program
- Learning & career development: premium LinkedIn Learning access and our SOAR development program
- Wellness benefits: free Calm Premium subscription for meditation, stress relief, and sleep support as well as access to our Colleague Assistance Program (EAP) that provides access to licensed professional counselors and work/life resources
- Employee discounts: Perk Spot, discounted cell-phone plans through Previ, and home/auto insurance discounts
- A collaborative, mission-driven culture built on teamwork, empathy, and growth
Pay
The salary range for this role is from $21.00 to $24.00. However, specific compensation for the role will vary within the above range based on many factors including but not limited to geographic location, candidate experience, applicable certifications, and skills.
Keywords
Patient Financial Counselor, Financial Counselor, Financial Assistance Counselor, Patient Financial Advocate, Patient Advocate, Medicaid Enrollment Specialist, Charity Care, Hospital Financial Assistance, Eligibility Specialist, Case Management