Patient Financial Counselor

About the Role

Hunter Health provides all-encompassing care for the Wichita community, including medical, dental, behavioral, vision, laboratory, radiology and pharmacy services, all in one place. We pride ourselves in providing the support patients need to take control of their health and their whole wellbeing. Our Hunter Health team is at the heart of our operations. From the initial interaction with a new patient to empowering individuals with the knowledge to manage their health - it begins with each member of our staff. Regardless of role or responsibility, every team member is a valuable part of living our mission and upholding our positive work environment with our Standards of Culture. We exist to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community.

Summary

The Patient Financial Counselor provides coordinated, patient-centered financial navigation services by helping patients obtain healthcare coverage, determining eligibility to qualify for financial assistance, and understanding their financial responsibilities. This position administers the Sliding Fee Discount Program in compliance with HRSA requirements, assists with Medicaid and Marketplace enrollment, provides financial counseling, and coordinates with patients, government agencies, insurance carriers, and internal departments to facilitate access to care. The Patient Financial Counselor functions in accordance with established federal and state standards, while complying with all grants, HIPAA, and Hunter Health Clinic (HHC) policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

• Educates patients regarding the Sliding Fee Discount Program, obtains and verifies required income documentation, and reviews applications for completeness to ensure accuracy.
• Utilizes communication skills to conduct fact-finding interviews to gather information to support documentation in determining eligibility for programs, as well as communicates financial responsibility thoroughly for patient comprehension.
• Determines eligibility for Sliding Fee Discount program according to established policies, maintains supporting documentation, conducts periodic re-verification, and ensures compliance within HRSAs grant requirements.
• Assists uninsured and underinsured patients with Medicaid, Marketplace, and other federal or state assistance program enrollment by screening eligibility, completing applications, coordinating with agencies and insurance carriers, tracking pending applications, and resolving enrollment issues.
• Educates and provides financial counseling by explaining patients financial responsibilities, discussing charges and balances, reviewing potential payment options and available assistance resources, establishing payment plans, and assisting patients experiencing financial hardship.
• Supports revenue cycle operations by identifying patients who may qualify for financial assistance or insurance coverage prior to services, reducing self-pay balances through successful enrollment efforts, collaborating with registration, billing, and clinical teams, and documenting all patient interactions accurately within the electronic health record and practice management systems.
• Maintains compliance with HIPAA, HRSA, CMS, Medicaid, and organizational requirements by ensuring accurate documentation, participating in audits, maintaining required reports and performance metrics, and identifying potential fraud, misrepresentation, or incomplete documentation.
• Protects patient confidentiality and adheres to HIPAA.
• Travels when necessary to meet organizational needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical and Mental Demands

All employees, including those who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job functions listed below, either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. The functions listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Talking: The ability to speak clearly and effectively.
• Average Hearing: The ability to hear average conversations and respond accordingly.
• Repetitive Motion: The ability to sit, stand, walk and use hands to handle, feel and reach.
• Finger Dexterity: The ability to use fingers to make small movements such as typing, picking up objects and pinching fingers together.
• Average Visual Abilities: The ability to focus on items clearly, including close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Working Conditions: The ability to work in a well-lit, climate-controlled environment.