Financial Counselor/Prior Authorization Representative

Ellsworth County Medical Center; Ellsworth (KS); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness Center membership

Flexible scheduling

Health, dental, vision, and life保险

Job summary

Ellsworth County Medical Center is seeking a detail-oriented Prior Authorization & Financial Counselor in Ellsworth, KS. This full-time, day-shift position focuses on helping patients navigate financial responsibilities and insurance options while ensuring accurate records and efficient prior authorizations.

We offer competitive pay based on experience, flexible scheduling where possible, and growth opportunities in a supportive rural health setting with a close-knit team.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma is required; associate degree or equivalent is preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of office experience required; experience in healthcare/hospital administration preferred.
• Experience with insurance verification, medical billing/coding, or high-volume data entry is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Be a patient advocate by explaining financial responsibilities and payment options.
• Ensure accuracy of patient records, including demographics and insurance details.
• Provide financial education about out-of-pocket costs and assistance programs.
• Manage prior authorizations by obtaining insurance approvals for treatments, services, and medications.
• Collaborate with providers and insurers to process prior authorizations timely and accurately.
• Handle denials and appeals by resolving authorization issues with insurance companies.
• Maintain organized records of authorizations, approvals, and denials for compliance.
• Coordinate with billing and medical coding departments for seamless claims processing.

Skills

Detail orientation

Organizational skills

Insurance procedures

Medical terminology

Financial counseling

Customer service

Verbal and written communication

Independent problem solving

Education

High School Diploma

Associate degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: PRIMARY - ELLSWORTH, KS 67439

Position Type: Full Time

Job Shift: Day Shift

Join a team that’s making a difference!

Ellsworth County Medical Center (ECMC) is looking for a detail-oriented and patient-focused Prior Authorization & Financial Counselor to join our team. If you thrive in a collaborative environment, enjoy helping patients navigate their financial and insurance responsibilities, and want to grow your career in a supportive workplace—this is the opportunity for you!

Compensation: $15.07-$25.00/hr based on experience

Why ECMC?

We’re not just a hospital—we’re a close-knit team committed to Improving Lives. As a 19-bed critical access hospital with four Rural Health Clinics in North Central Kansas, we provide top-quality care with a personal touch. At ECMC, you’re more than an employee—you’re family.

What You’ll Do

• Be a patient advocate—helping patients understand their financial responsibilities and available payment alternatives.
• Ensure accuracy in patient records, including demographics, insurance coverage, responsible guarantors, and registration details.
• Provide financial education to clarify out-of-pocket expenses and assist patients with financial assistance programs, payment alternatives, and marketplace insurance options.
• Manage prior authorizations by obtaining insurance approvals for prescribed treatments, services, and medications.
• Work closely with providers and insurance companies to ensure timely and accurate processing of prior authorization requests.
• Handle denials and appeals by troubleshooting authorization issues and working with insurance companies to resolve them.
• Maintain organized records of authorizations, approvals, and denials to ensure compliance with insurance guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate across departments, including billing and medical coding, to ensure seamless insurance claims processing.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible scheduling in a patient-centered environment.
• Competitive Pay: Based on experience.
• Growth & Learning: Access educational opportunities to expand your expertise.
• Comprehensive Benefits:

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) + Extended Illness Benefit
• Retirement plans with employer contributions
• Wellness Center membership (because your health matters too!)

• Supportive Team Culture: Work with people who genuinely care about each other and their community.

Is This You?

• You’re detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about helping patients.
• You thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced healthcare environment.
• You have strong knowledge of insurance procedures, medical terminology, and financial counseling.
• You’re a problem solver who enjoys working through insurance approvals and denials.

About Ellsworth County

In Ellsworth County, Kansas, you’ll find a perfect blend of tranquility and opportunity. Whether you enjoy scenic trails, outdoor recreation, or a close-knit community, this is a place to live, work, and thrive. Thinking about relocating? We offer community ambassador tours and spousal employment assistance to make your transition seamless.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma is required; associate degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 1 year office experience required; experience specifically in high volume data entry, customer service call center, healthcare office, or hospital administration is preferred; insurance verification and medical billing/coding experience preferred.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of medical terminology and/or coding.
• Strong knowledge of network resources for referral and linkage to member and provider needs.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload, requests, turnaround timeframes, and communication with patients and providers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to explain diverse technical problems in easy-to-understand language.
• Strong independent problem solving and ability to make sound decisions.

Certifications/Registrations

• N/A