Patient Financial Counselor I

ERC Pathlight•Aspen, CO

2d•$20 - $21•Hybrid

About The Position

The Patient Financial Counselor plays a critical role in ensuring patients understand and manage their financial obligations throughout their care journey. This position requires exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to provide compassionate guidance to patients regarding their financial responsibilities. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with admissions, billing, and clinical teams to support accurate financial planning, documentation, collections, and resolution of payment concerns.

Requirements

Highschool Diploma or GED- Required
Strong interpersonal skills.
Clear communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
Must have a commitment to excellent customer service and a strong understanding of mathematical principles (REQUIRED)

Nice To Haves

BA in Healthcare or related field (preferred)
Healthcare related higher education (post high school) (PREFERRED)
1+ year of experience in healthcare setting to include: payment/adjustment posting, identification and management of patient responsibility and patient financial counseling. Preferred experience in Behavioral Healthcare. (PREFERRED)
Willingness to work occasional nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

Educate patients on their financial obligations, including co-insurance, deductibles, and fees related to various care levels (RES, PHP, IOP, VIOP, etc).
Review verification of benefits (VOB) and estimated patient responsibilities, addressing inquiries regarding billing, step-down services, and other fees.
Process, review, and support the patient throughout the financial aid application process. Communicate clearly with internal teams and the patient the results of the application.
Set up Payment Plans when needed.
Bill all lodging charges as applicable
Post all Financial Aid adjustments & Payments for Lodging
Manages and resolves patient share of cost balances in alignment with organizational cash flow targets.
Help plan transitions between levels of care when required
Communicate insurance interruption w/ treatment teams when needed.
Obtain signed patient MAFR due to insurance non-coverage when needed.
Prepare and process financial paperwork for new admissions and ongoing care programs as it applies to financial aid, payments, and RFPs.
Scan, upload, and maintain accurate financial records in appropriate systems as applicable.
Communicate with the claims department and internal teams to resolve ongoing billing issues and ensure accounts are updated & accurate.
Keep internal metrics and patient financial data current in Salesforce, MMD, Nova, and/or other designated systems.
Ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures.
Support patients with financial inquiries, offering clear explanations and appropriate options for payment plans or adjustments.