Patient Navigator

Porch Light Health•Durango, CO

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Patient Navigator is a dedicated member of the Porch Light Health care team who helps patients overcome barriers to accessing, engaging in, and remaining connected to treatment. The role serves as a trusted guide and advocate, assisting patients with insurance coverage, financial assistance, transportation, community services, healthcare access, and other social determinants of health that can affect recovery and well-being. The Patient Navigator collaborates with providers, Patient Care Coordinators, the Call Center, Revenue Cycle, eligibility teams, and community partners to identify and resolve challenges before they disrupt treatment. The role does not provide clinical services, counseling, case management, or social work services. The position supports patient engagement, retention, and treatment outcomes through insurance and benefits navigation, financial assistance guidance, transportation coordination, outreach to patients at risk of treatment interruption, connection to community and healthcare resources, and documentation of interventions and outcomes. It also builds relationships with community organizations and maintains knowledge of local resources. Work is split between remote work (50% of the time), travel to a designated region (25%), and clinic work (25%). The schedule is 40 hours per week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The position is non-exempt and hourly, with travel of up to 25% of the time and transportation to regional locations as needed.

Requirements

Proficiency in insurance eligibility verification, explanation of benefits (EOB) interpretation, and benefit navigation, including deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums.
Ability to accurately determine and communicate patient financial responsibility for services.
Experience with Medicaid, Medicare, ACA Marketplace, commercial insurance, and financial assistance programs.
Ability to build trust and rapport with patients.
Strong problem-solving and resource navigation skills.
Ability to manage multiple patient needs simultaneously.
Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
Ability to collaborate across departments and with community partners.
Commitment to patient-centered care and recovery support.
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time and travel to regional locations as needed.
Ability to work a 40-hour week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Human Services, Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, or a related field; equivalent education, experience, and demonstrated success working with patients may be considered.
Experience in healthcare, patient services, customer service, care coordination, patient advocacy, community resources, insurance navigation, or social services.
Experience supporting underserved, vulnerable, or behavioral health populations.
Experience working with rural and remote populations, particularly navigating medical, behavioral health, and community services in resource-limited communities.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with Medicaid enrollment, renewal, and eligibility maintenance, including proactive outreach before renewal deadlines.
Educate patients about Medicaid requirements, workforce exemptions, reporting obligations, and other program requirements.
Help patients navigate Medicare, ACA Marketplace, commercial insurance, and other insurance options.
Coordinate with Revenue Cycle and eligibility teams to address coverage concerns and help patients understand benefits related to Porch Light Health services.
Educate patients about self-pay options, payment plans, scholarships, hardship assistance, and other financial resources.
Assist patients with financial assistance applications and required documentation, collaborating with internal teams on solutions that support continued treatment.
Assess transportation barriers and connect patients with Medicaid transportation benefits, Uber Health, and other transportation programs.
Coordinate transportation support when appropriate to reduce missed appointments and treatment interruptions.
Conduct outreach to patients who have missed appointments, disengaged from care, or are at risk of treatment interruption.
Identify non-clinical barriers affecting adherence and partner with providers, Patient Care Coordinators, and operational teams on re-engagement efforts.
Help patients resolve administrative, financial, or logistical challenges that may prevent them from remaining in care.
Document and engage with community organizations to raise awareness of service delivery and build a network of resources for patient needs.
Connect patients with community resources for food insecurity, housing instability, employment assistance, utility assistance, legal aid, and other social needs.
Assist patients with applications and enrollment processes for SNAP and other public assistance programs.
Maintain current knowledge of community resources in assigned markets and build relationships with community organizations and resource providers.
Help patients access primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, and other healthcare resources as appropriate.
Support patients in understanding healthcare systems and referral processes, and help them access telehealth and address technology barriers.
Document patient interactions and interventions according to company policies and procedures.
Track outcomes including benefit enrollments, transportation interventions, resource referrals, and patient re-engagement efforts.
Participate in reporting and quality improvement initiatives focused on access, retention, and patient success.
Travel to regional locations as needed, up to 25% of the time.