Patient Financial Counselor

at Hunter Health Clinic in Wichita, Kansas, United States

Job Description

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 HRSA’s 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 patient’s 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 of the Job:

All employees, including those who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job function 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. This document does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

• 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, with a noise level that is occasionally high. There is potential exposure to infectious diseases.
• Physical Strength: The ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Mathematical Ability: The ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with this job. Hunter Health Clinic Inc. reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs. 

To learn more about Hunter Health, our services and our impact on the community, visit our website at www.hunterhealth.org. 

Hunter Health provides equal employment opportunities to persons without regard to race, religion, color, ancestry, genetic information, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, and any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. HHC is committed to taking affirmative action to employ, and advance in employment, disabled persons and veterans.

As an Urban Indian Health Program, Hunter Health Clinic, Inc. (HHC) adheres to the Indian Preference in Employment as stated in the Federal Acquisition Regulations System (48 C.F.R. § 326.501–505). Training and employment preferences and opportunities shall be provided to Native Americans regardless of age (subject to existing laws and regulations), sex, religion, or tribal affiliation. Applicants claiming Indian Preference may be asked to provide documentation of eligibility.

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