Financial Counselor

American Oncology Network; Macon (GA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

American Oncology Network is seeking a Financial Counselor to coordinate payments, assist patients with financial aid, and monitor balances for Central Georgia Cancer Care.

The role requires strong communication, knowledge of insurance processes, pre-certification, and collaboration with clinical teams to ensure benefits are properly applied.

Qualifications

• Education: HS Diploma or GED required; further education or degree a plus.
• Healthcare experience preferred, especially in a clinical or billing setting.
• Strong math, communication, and analytical skills needed for billing and finance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate pre-certification and prior authorization with insurers and providers.
• Review patient schedules to establish financial responsibility for visits.
• Assess treatments for insurance coverage and patient liability.
• Obtain information for financial assistance programs when applicable.
• Explain forms, payment plans, and treatment estimates to patients.
• Communicate with care teams and billing staff to resolve issues.

Skills

Verbal communication

Medical terminology

Cash handling

Customer service

Prior authorization knowledge

Education

High school Diploma or GED

Tools

MS Office

EMR systems

Billing software

Job description

Job Description Summary

A Financial counselor serves as the liaison between the patient and the practice by coordinating payments, assistance, monitoring patient balances, and streamlining communication of the financial responsibilities of our patients. Performs the quality control function for pre-certification and prior authorization. The Financial Counselor ensures the patients’ insurance benefits are kept up to date in the electronic medical records (EMR) and billing software while also verifying the patient’s services meet insurance coverage appropriateness.

Location

Central Georgia Cancer Care

Pay Range

$17.93 - $29.89

Job Description Summary

A Financial counselor serves as the liaison between the patient and the practice by coordinating payments, assistance, monitoring patient balances, and streamlining communication of the financial responsibilities of our patients. Performs the quality control function for pre-certification and prior authorization. The Financial Counselor ensures the patients’ insurance benefits are kept up to date in the electronic medical records (EMR) and billing software while also verifying the patient’s services meet insurance coverage appropriateness.

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Monitors and coordinates internally and externally with the insurance company on the pre-certification and prior authorization processes, including peer-2-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.
• If applicable, obtain necessary information from patient for assistance income guidelines.
• Identify and review patient ageing balances and establish proper arrangements with the patient to address outstanding balance(s).
• Discuss and explain forms and paperwork needed such as waivers, treatment estimates, payment plans, assistance applications, etc.
• 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.
• Work closely with outside entities to ensure full collaboration and completion of forms and items needed in a timely and sometimes urgent manner.
• 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.
• Understand and comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations pertaining to patient care, rights, safety, billing, and collections.
• Will be expected to work overtime when given sufficient notice of required overtime.
• Keep work area and records in a neat and orderly manner.
• Maintain all company equipment in a safe and working order.
• Adhere to all AON and departmental policies and procedures, including Revenue cycle policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Job Qualifications And Requirements

Education: High school Diploma or GED required. Further education or degree a plus

Certifications/Licenses:

Previous Experience

• A minimum of two-years prior experience in the healthcare field, preferably in a clinical or business office setting required.
• Prior Healthcare customer service.
• Prior Medical terminology.
• Prior Medical insurance verification.
• Prior Verifying pre-certification and/or prior authorization with medical insurance.
• Excellent proven verbal and communication skills needed.
• Proven Insurance knowledge requirements including an understanding of medical terminology, ICD9, ICD10 and CPT codes.
• Prior Cash handling and monetary collection experience.
• Ability to calculate and collect patients’ responsibility and insurance co-pay/coinsurance.

Core Capabilities

• Analysis & Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills including solid problem solving, analysis, decision-making, planning, time management and organizational skills. Must be detailed oriented with the ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Developed interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, diplomacy, tact, conflict management, delegation skills, and diversity awareness. Ability to work effectively with sensitive and confidential material and sometimes emotionally charged matters.
• Communication Skills: Good command of the English language. Second language is an asset but not required. Effective communication skills (oral, written, presentation), is an active listener, and effectively provides balanced feedback.
• Customer Service & Organizational Awareness: Strong customer focus. Ability to build an engaging culture of quality, performance effectiveness and operational excellence through best practices, strong business and political acumen, collaboration and partnerships, as well as a positive employee, physician and community relations.
• Self-Management: Effectively manages own time, conflicting priorities, self, stress, and professional development. Self-motivated and self-starter with ability work independently with limited supervision. Ability to work remotely effectively as required.
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-site environment with demonstrated ability to juggle competing priorities and demands from a variety of stakeholders and sites.
• Computer Skills:

Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook required.

Ability to use multiple screens to perform required job functions.

Ability to navigate multiple applications and tab in and out of workflow to complete tasks.

Travel: 0%

Standard Core Workdays/Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Occasional overtime may be required, and weekend shifts based on location hours and operational needs.

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