Financial Counselor

Swope Heath; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Life insurance & disability

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Swope Health in Kansas City is seeking a Financial Counselor to help patients navigate insurance benefits, determine eligibility, and access financial assistance programs. You will explain bills, collect payments, and set up affordable payment plans with empathy and accuracy.

In this role you verify coverage, document decisions in the EHR, and coordinate with registration, billing, and clinical teams to support patient access.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in healthcare financial counseling, medical billing, insurance verification, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, commercial insurance, and Marketplace plans.
• Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, compassionate guidance to patients regarding insurance benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and available financial assistance programs.
• Assist patients with completing applications for Medicaid, Marketplace plans, sliding fee discounts, and other assistance programs.
• Explain billing statements, charges, and payment options in a patient-friendly manner.
• Verify insurance coverage, benefits, and authorization requirements prior to services.
• Communicate coverage limitations or financial obligations to patients and clinical staff.
• Maintain accurate documentation of eligibility determinations and patient interactions.
• Establish payment plans in accordance with Swope Health policies.
• Collect co-pays, deductibles, and outstanding balances while maintaining professionalism and sensitivity.
• Identify and escalation complex financial issues to leadership as needed.
• Ensure all activities comply with HIPAA, HRSA guidelines, federal and state regulations, and payer requirements.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) and billing systems.
• Participate in audits, quality reviews, and process improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with registration, billing, clinical teams, and community outreach staff to support seamless patient access.
• Provide exceptional customer service that reflects Swope Health's mission and values.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree (Business / Healthcare Administration / Social Services)

Job description

The Financial Counselor supports patients in understanding and managing the financial aspects of their care at Swope Health. This role assists patients with insurance verification, financial assistance applications, payment arrangements, and education regarding available coverage options. The Financial Counselor ensures positive patient experience while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and payer regulations, contributing to the financial sustainability of Swope Health's mission-driven services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, compassionate guidance to patients regarding insurance benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and available financial assistance programs.
• Assist patients with completing applications for Medicaid, Marketplace plans, sliding fee discounts, and other assistance programs.
• Explain billing statements, charges, and payment options in a patient-friendly manner.

Insurance Verification & Eligibility

• Verify insurance coverage, benefits, and authorization requirements prior to services.
• Communicate coverage limitations or financial obligations to patients and clinical staff.
• Maintain accurate documentation of eligibility determinations and patient interactions.

Financial Counseling & Collections

• Establish payment plans in accordance with Swope Health policies.
• Collect co-pays, deductibles, and outstanding balances while maintaining professionalism and sensitivity.
• Identify and escalation complex financial issues to leadership as needed.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure all activities comply with HIPAA, HRSA guidelines, federal and state regulations, and payer requirements.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) and billing systems.
• Participate in audits, quality reviews, and process improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with registration, billing, clinical teams, and community outreach staff to support seamless patient access.
• Provide exceptional customer service that reflects Swope Health's mission and values.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and cross-functional initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in healthcare financial counseling, medical billing, insurance verification, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, commercial insurance, and Marketplace plans.
• Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Associate degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, Social Services, or related field.
• Experience in an FQHC or community health center setting.
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish or other languages commonly spoken in the community).
• May require travel between Swope Health locations within the Kansas City area.
• Requires extended periods of computer use and patient interaction.

About Swope Health Services:

Each year, Swope Health serves over 45,000 patients, encompassing more than 200,000 visits to four counties on both sides of the state line. Our team members are proud of the work we do and the promise we've made – delivering coordinated care that values the needs of the whole person and championing better health in our community.

Swope Health is a special place that cares for the people who need it most, wherever they are in the community. As part of our promise to battle health inequities and provide high-quality, comprehensive care, we make care visible. That means we proudly deliver our promise through every action, every day.

Swope Health Services supports its team members with:

• Medical benefits (including a Health Savings Account option), dental and vision
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Company-paid benefits such as life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Days Off beginning at 12 days annually, effective the first day of employment
• Eight annual company-paid holidays; One annual paid personal day

Swope Health is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status or disability

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.