Financial Counselor

Heartland Oncology; Council Bluffs (IA); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Job summary

Heartland Oncology & Hematology seeks a Patient Financial Counselor to navigate insurance benefits, verify coverage, and coordinate prior authorizations to ensure access to cancer treatment. You will work with clinical teams and external assist programs to minimize patient financial barriers while maintaining compassionate support throughout the treatment journey in a community oncology setting.

Strong communication, attention to detail, and proficiency with EMR systems are essential to manage

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent. Associate's degree or higher preferred.
• 2+ years healthcare experience, ideally in financial counseling or patient access.
• Experience verifying pre-certification and prior authorization with medical insurance.
• Familiarity with patient assistance programs and financial aid resources.

Responsibilities

• Serve as patient advocate for financial navigation and counseling.
• Review insurance coverage, establish financial responsibility estimates, and coordinate authorizations.
• Assist patients with understanding benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and available assistance programs.
• Collaborate with clinical teams, insurers, and external assistance organizations to remove financial barriers to care.

Skills

Insurance verification

Patient advocacy

Financial counseling

Communication skills

Microsoft Excel

Education

High School Diploma

Healthcare administration degree preferred

Tools

EMR systems

Practice management software

Insurance verification tools

Job description

Location: Heartland Oncology & Hematology

Pay Range: $17.93 - $29.89

Position Summary

Serves as the primary patient advocate for financial navigation and counseling within an oncology practice. Reviews patient insurance coverage, establishes financial responsibility estimates, and coordinates prior authorizations and benefit verification to ensure seamless access to cancer treatment. Assists patients with understanding their insurance benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and available financial assistance programs. Partners with clinical teams, insurance companies, and external assistance organizations to remove financial barriers to care and optimize patient collections while providing compassionate support during the cancer treatment journey.

Key Performance Areas

KPA 1 – Insurance Verification, Authorization & Coverage Management

KPA 1 – Insurance Verification, Authorization & Coverage Management

• Monitor and coordinate internally and externally with insurance companies on the pre-certification and prior authorization processes, including peer-to-peer and appeals, seeking support from provider or pharmacy team when applicable.


• Review assigned patient(s) and/or Physician schedules for upcoming visits and/or treatment to establish patient financial responsibility.


• Review patients' treatment plan(s) and identify if insurance benefit coverage is active and patient fiscal responsibility; all unplanned exceptions are to be communicated to provider immediately.


• Review and identify new treatment orders, generate an estimate of service and review with patient explaining insurance benefits and fiscal responsibility.


• Keep patients' insurance benefits up to date in EMR systems and view the patients' services for diagnosis and insurance coverage appropriateness.


• Communicate openly and routinely throughout the course of the workday with providers, nursing staff, PSS staff, UM team and coworkers through Teams, phone calls, emails and in person to discuss fiscal responsibility and other items as needed.

KPA 2 – Patient Financial Counseling & Assistance Coordination

KPA 2 – Patient Financial Counseling & Assistance Coordination

• Discuss and explain forms and paperwork needed such as waivers, treatment estimates, payment plans, assistance applications, etc.


• Assist patient(s) with completing necessary paperwork for assistance and other grant funded programs in order to secure financial aid for treatment and services.


• Have an understanding of patient assistance programs and grant services processes to ensure adequate application, placement, and coordination with financial aid counseling team.


• If applicable, obtain necessary information from patient for assistance income guidelines.


• Identify and review patient aging balances and establish proper arrangements with the patient to address outstanding balance(s).


• Work closely with outside entities to ensure full collaboration and completion of forms and items needed in a timely and sometimes urgent manner.


• Responsible for monitoring and collecting the financial responsibilities of patients in a compassionate and professional manner.

KPA 3 – Compliance, Communication & Patient Advocacy

KPA 3 – Compliance, Communication & Patient Advocacy

• Understand and comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations pertaining to patient care, rights, safety, billing, and collections.


• Maintain and ensure the confidentiality of all patient and employee information at all times in accordance with HIPAA regulations.


• Adhere to all Company and departmental policies and procedures.


• Serve as patient advocate to navigate financial complexities.


• Maintain professional, compassionate communication with patients and families during financially sensitive conversations.

Job Qualifications

• EducationHigh School Diploma or equivalent required. Associate's Degree or higher in Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field preferred.


• Minimum Relevant ExperienceA minimum of two years experience in the healthcare field, preferably in healthcare financial counseling, patient access, or medical billing.


• Demonstrated knowledge verifying pre-certification and/or prior authorization with medical insurance.


• Experience with patient assistance programs and financial aid resources preferred.


• Prior Cash handling and monetary collection experience.


• Ability to calculate and collect patients’ responsibility and insurance co-pay/coinsurance.


• Proven Insurance knowledge requirements including an understanding of medical terminology, ICD9, ICD10 and CPT codes.


• Excellent proven verbal and communication skills needed to support diverse patient populations with empathy and cultural sensitivity.


• SkillsFamiliarity with patient assistance programs, grant-funded resources, and pharmaceutical assistance programs.


• Proficiency in EMR systems, practice management software, and insurance verification tools.


• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to explain financial information in understandable terms.


• Ability to work collaboratively with clinical teams, insurance companies, and external organizations.

Company Culture

#AONA #LI-ONSITE

• American Oncology Network AON is an alliance of physicians and veteran healthcare leaders dedicated to ensuring the long-term success and viability of oncology diagnosis and treatment in community-based settings.


• It is the fastest growing national network of community oncology practices delivering local access to exceptional cancer care.


• AON serves its expanding network of partner practices by providing proven practice management expertise.


• Our employees across the country work together to empower physicians to make cancer care better.


• By driving integrated, collaborative care, we are proudly helping community oncologists deliver the highest quality care to every patient.


• Cancer touches everyone. Being able to make a difference in the lives of those fighting this disease is something our employees at AON cherish and never take for granted.


• A career in oncology offers all sorts of rewards.


• But working at AON offers employees more than most.


• As a fast-growing national company, the opportunity to join a national workforce with flexible work options is available.


• We offer competitive compensation packages that include comprehensive health insurance with a robust provider network.


• Our 401k, which offers a 100% match and investment options, is available to full-time and part-time staff members, and we feature a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program.


• At AON, we offer you more than a job, we offer you a career.


• As a network of independent oncology practices working together as one, we host annual summits each year, providing our employees a chance to collaborate with AON peers from across the country.


• Promoting from within is a priority at AON, and we support our team members continued growth through professional development programs and tuition assistance.