Health Access Coordinator

Bucksport Regional Health Center•Bucksport, ME

13h•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the primary liaison between the health center and patients to ensure care is affordable and compliant with HRSA Health Center Program requirements. This role manages the end-to-end process for the Sliding Fee Discount Program (SFDP), screens patients for internal and external assistance, manages patient accounts receivable with a strong emphasis on self-pay balances, supports revenue cycle activities including payment plan creation and oversight, and proactive financial counseling.

Requirements

1-3 years in medical billing, patient accounts, self-pay account management, or financial counseling – ideally within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), preferred
Proficiency with EMR/Practice Management software
Strong understanding of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) and HRSA compliance standards.
Computer experience using Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office software products, including Word and Excel, required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to handle sensitive financial discussions with empathy.
Exceptional organizational ability and attention to detail.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public, using tact and discretion.
Ability to communicate and present information.
Ability to identify problems and recommend solutions.
Ability to establish priorities and coordinate work activities.
High School diploma or equivalent with emphasis on office and business skills including keyboarding, filing, and multi-tasking, required.

Nice To Haves

Post secondary education in medical billing/coding or related training preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct financial screenings to determine eligibility based on income and family size.
Process SFDP applications, renewals, and income verification.
Collect and verify required documentation (e.g., pay stubs, tax returns) for Sliding Fee Scale (SFS) applications.
Maintain accurate records in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to ensure audit-readiness for HRSA Site Visits.
Monitor and notify patients when their sliding fee eligibility is set to expire.
Set up, monitor, and adjust patient payment plans for patients with outstanding balances.
Conduct follow-up on missed payments.
Explains billing statements and patient financial responsibilities in a clear, compassionate manner.
Documents all activity in the billing system.
Coordinate with the billing department to resolve account discrepancies and process self-pay payments.
Proactively manages self-pay/Patient Accounts Receivable (30, 60, 90+ days) to identify trends and delinquency.
Monitors aging, conducts outreach, and reduces outstanding balances.
Ensures accounts are reviewed for Sliding Fee eligibility before collections.
Initiate outbound calls and correspondence to patients with past-due balances to secure payment or update financial assistance applications.
Verify that recurring payment plan installments are processed successfully and troubleshoot failed transactions.
Prepare accounts for administrative adjustments, small balance write-offs, or referral to external collections in accordance with center policy and HRSA regulations.
Generate monthly reports on self-pay collection rates, sliding fee utilization, and total outstanding patient debt for management review.
Provide compassionate financial counseling.
Helps patients apply for Sliding Fee Discount Program.
Screen patients for potential eligibility in external programs like Medicaid, CHIP, or the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Ensures all financial assistance options are explored.
Provide cost estimates for upcoming services and procedures to ensure financial transparency.
Reviews and processes patient statements.
Ensures accuracy and investigates discrepancies.
Prepares monthly collections file.
Ensures appropriate internal steps before referral.
Answers patient billing calls and provides support as needed.
Posts payments and prepares reports.
Provides backup for other Health Center functions as needed.
Performs other clerical and administrative duties and tasks as assigned.