Financial Counselor I

Community Health Systems, Inc.; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Health Systems, Inc. in Birmingham, AL seeks a Financial Counselor I to support patient access and revenue cycle by verifying coverage, securing financial arrangements, and guiding patients through financial assistance processes.

You will collaborate with patients, payors and internal departments to ensure accurate account processing and timely resolution with a compassionate, confidential approach.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years in healthcare registration, billing, or a related field.
• 2-4 years in financial counseling or insurance verification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establishes payment arrangements with patients according to departmental policies and procedures.
• Completes and submits financial assistance applications and follows up on required documentation.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and benefits; ensures appropriate authorizations are obtained when applicable.
• Reviews daily reports to ensure accounts have a valid payment source or counseling documentation.
• Responds to patient inquiries regarding balances, billing concerns, and insurance coverage; returns calls promptly.
• Reviews and processes adjustment requests and monitors approved adjustments for accuracy.
• Maintains account documentation in the system with proper comment types.
• Maintains communication with patients throughout care, including pre-admission, service, and post-discharge follow-up.
• Coordinates with other departments to resolve account issues and ensure accuracy.
• Retrieves and responds to voicemails and ensures timely follow-up.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Healthcare billing knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Task prioritization

Google/Microsoft & EHR

Confidentiality & professionalism

Education

High School Graduate

Job description

Job Summary

The Financial Counselor I supports patient access and revenue cycle operations by verifying insurance coverage, securing financial arrangements, and coordinating all aspects of patient account management. This role serves as a key resource for patients by providing financial counseling, facilitating assistance applications, and ensuring accounts are processed accurately and in a timely manner. The Financial Counselor I interacts regularly with patients, insurance payors, and internal departments to promote account resolution and ensure a positive patient financial experience.

Essential Functions

• Establishes payment arrangements with patients according to departmental policies and procedures.
• Accurately completes and submits financial assistance applications and follows up on required documentation.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and benefits, and ensures appropriate authorizations are obtained when applicable.
• Reviews daily admission and missed opportunity reports to ensure all accounts have a valid payment source or financial counseling documentation.
• Responds to patient inquiries regarding account balances, billing concerns, and insurance coverage; returns all patient calls in a timely and professional manner.
• Reviews and processes adjustment requests and monitors approved adjustments for accuracy.
• Maintains account documentation by recording all actions and communications in the appropriate system using correct comment types.
• Establishes and maintains communication with patients throughout the continuum of care, including pre-admission, point-of-service, and post-discharge financial follow-up.
• Coordinates with other departments as needed to resolve account issues and ensure account accuracy.
• Retrieves and responds to voicemails from departmental customer service lines and ensures timely follow-up.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Post secondary education or training in medical office administration or healthcare administration preferred
• 0-2 years of experience in healthcare registration, billing, collections, or a related field required
• 2-4 years of experience in financial counseling or insurance verification preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of healthcare billing and insurance verification processes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a customer service focus.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Google and Microsoft platforms and electronic health record systems
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all patient interactions.

Job Info

• Job Identification 167369
• Job Category Finance and Accounting
• Posting Date 10/15/2026, 10:54 PM
• Degree Level High School Graduate
• Job Schedule Full time
• Job Shift Day
• Locations 3690 Grandview Pkwy, Birmingham, AL, 35243, US