Patient Financial Counselor

JOB TITLE:  PATIENT FINANCIAL COUNSELOR

REPORTS TO:  Revenue Cycle Manager

DEPARTMENT/LOCATION: Clinical, On-Site 

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Permanent, Full-Time, Non-Exempt.  

REQUIREMENTS:  None

LAST MODIFIED:  10/27/2026 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Financial Counselor is responsible for supporting patients throughout the financial aspects of their care by providing accurate estimates, reviewing insurance eligibility and network participation, communicating patient financial responsibility, collecting payments, coordinating financial assistance, and maintaining established payment arrangements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Prepare and communicate patient financial estimates for surgeries, in-office procedures, injections, and other applicable services, following established completion and escalation timelines.
• Verify insurance eligibility, benefits, network participation, and anticipated patient responsibility to support accurate financial counseling and pre-service financial clearance.
• Educate patients regarding estimated costs, insurance benefits, payment expectations, available payment options, and financial assistance resources in a clear and professional manner.
• Perform pre-service financial reviews, including identification and outreach to patients with outstanding balances, self-pay status, insurance concerns, or other financial needs.
• Collect and process patient payments through approved payment systems and maintain accurate documentation of financial transactions and patient communications.
• Coordinate copay and financial assistance programs, including eligibility review, application submission, follow-up, and documentation of assistance approvals or pending requests.
• Monitor and manage established patient payment plans, including follow-up on defaulted payments and completion of appropriate account actions according to organizational policy.
• Maintain assigned financial worklists and task queues, ensuring requests are addressed accurately and within established departmental turnaround expectations.
• Document estimates, insurance information, patient communications, payment activity, and financial assistance efforts accurately within designated systems.
• Collaborate with Patient Access, Prior Authorization, Scheduling, Clinical Operations, Billing, and other Revenue Cycle teams to identify and resolve financial barriers prior to services.
• Escalate unresolved patient financial concerns, insurance issues, workflow barriers, and recurring payer concerns to appropriate Revenue Cycle leadership.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, organizational policies, payer requirements, and established Revenue Cycle procedures.
• Provide professional, compassionate, and patient-centered service while supporting organizational financial clearance and collection goals.
• Perform additional Revenue Cycle duties and departmental projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS  

·       High school diploma or GED required.

·       Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a healthcare setting required; experience in revenue cycle, patient financial services, medical billing, insurance verification, or a related healthcare administrative role preferred.

·       Displays courtesy and sensitivity. Manages difficult or emotional customer situations. Meets commitments. Responds promptly to customer needs. Solicits customer feedback to improve service.

·       Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

·       Develops alternative solutions. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Identifies problems in a timely manner. Resolves problems in early stages. Works well in group problem solving situations.

·       Integrates changes smoothly. Plans for additional resources. Prioritizes and plans work activities. Sets goals and objectives. Uses time efficiently. Works in an organized manner.

·       Microsoft Word; Familiarity with EMR systems a plus.

·       Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

·       Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.

·       Integrates changes smoothly. Plans for additional resources. Prioritizes and plans work activities. Sets goals and objectives. Uses time efficiently. Works in an organized manner.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT 

This role is based in a fast-paced, patient-focused urology clinic where collaboration is key. Our team of physicians, nurses, and support staff work together in a modern facility equipped with an EHR system and on-site diagnostic services. The atmosphere is professional yet warm, with a shared commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care to a diverse patient population.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Potential exposure to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens and chemical cleaning agents. Electronic medical records (EMR) systems, phone systems and standard medical equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision and Distance vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk or hear, sit for extended periods of time, and frequently stand and walk with bending and lifting up to 20-30 lbs.

COMPANY OVERVIEW 

OUR MISSION: To provide compassionate, world-class urologic care and exceptional experiences for our patients, employees and partners.   

OUR VISION: Curing the world of urologic disorders, one person at a time.   

OUR VALUES: At UCI, we are passionate about patient experience and making the healthcare journey from diagnosis through treatment as easy and stress-free as possible! Through unmatched integration and access for patients, partner hospitals and other physicians in the community, we provide world-class urologic care in an attentive environment where you are at the center of all we do.