Financial Counselor

Position Overview

The Financial Counselor is a key resource to the patient to ensure they understand their benefits and the financial impact of their treatment at Oregon Specialty Group. This significant position is responsible for reviewing, determining eligibility, and preparing necessary documents for patient assistance programs for eligible patients. In addition, the Financial Counselor acts as a liaison between patients and their insurance companies by coordinating payments and answering questions from both parties. The position is fulltime. The hours are Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm with a 30 minute lunch.

Essential Job Functions

• Review manufacturer assistance programs, foundations, and grants to assess patient eligibility for financial support. Assist patients with enrollment applications, and coordinate assistance application to patients’ bills.
• Verify patients' insurance coverage, benefits, and eligibility before treatment, and prepare financial estimates for services based on benefits.
• Meet with patients to discuss coverage, benefits, out-of-pocket costs, copay amounts, and payment options (e.g., installment plans, discounts, financial assistance).
• Assist patients in creating payment plans for medical bills and resolving billing discrepancies, including working with insurance companies on denials or disputes.
• Educate patients on their medical bills, breakdown of charges, and help interpret billing statements.
• Ensure reimbursement for non-insured and under-insured patients and assist with insurance denial appeals by gathering documentation and submitting appeals.
• Maintain accurate records of financial assessments, payment arrangements, and communication with patients and insurers.
• Collaborate with the revenue cycle team to improve processes, prevent financial strain, and ensure compliance with regulations (e.g., HIPPA)
• Support satellite clinics and coordinate financial assistance resources, including foundations and social service agencies
• Update patient financial alerts, assist in creating reports for workload status, and ensure financial counseling complies with relevant regulations
• Provide emotional support to patients facing financial strain from medical treatments and help them navigate assistance options
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Revenue Cycle Manager

Required Qualifications

• Applicable Associate’s degree or two year’s experience in the healthcare field
• 1-3 years of billing or patient financial support experience required
• Understand regulatory compliance and insurance company requirements
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills with proficiency in computers, especially Word and Excel
• Well-versed in medical terminology

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in providing financial patient estimates
• 2+ years of experience reviewing financial data and determining eligibility for grants, government assistance, and manufacturer assistance programs
• Bilingual, Spanish

A successful Financial Counselor will…

• Enjoy helping patients
• Balance difficult financial conversations
• Develop a financial plan and estimates for services and treatments at Oregon Specialty Group
• Create and maintain an efficient tracking of assistance programs available to patients
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Have strong analytical skills and enjoy problem-solving creatively
• Maintain confidentiality rigorously
• Understand and maintain regulatory compliance and insurance company requirements