Financial Navigator - Patient Access

Penn State Health; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount

Wellness programs

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Penn State Health is seeking a Financial Navigator I to enhance the patient financial experience by clarifying payer rules and estimated liability at pre-service. You will guide patients through the admissions process and connect them with Financial Counseling when needed.

The role emphasizes straightforward cases, strong communication, and a courteous, patient-focused approach in a fast-paced health system environment.

Qualifications

• Experience assisting patients with financial matters is preferred.
• Ability to explain payer requirements and potential liabilities clearly.
• Familiarity with admissions processes and regulatory components.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-service financial clearance for patients.
• Explain payer requirements and patient financial liability.
• Refer patients to Financial Counseling when appropriate.
• Provide concierge service and way-finding to improve patient experience.
• Support Admissions process and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Financial literacy

Regulatory knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Invest in Your Future and Theirs: Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible full-time Penn State Health employees receive a 50% Penn State tuition discount for themselves and eligible dependents, including a spouse and children. The discount applies at Penn State University Park, Commonwealth Campuses, World Campus, and Penn College of Technology.

The Financial Navigator I is a patient-facing position responsible for pre-service financial clearance. This position improves the patients financial experience by providing transparency on payer requirements and the patient¿s estimated personal financial liability, and by connecting patients with Financial Counseling pre-service if appropriate. This position also provides concierge service and way-finding to ensure a smooth process for patient arrival and check-in. The primary role of the Financial Navigation I is to work directly with our patients on one‑time services that do not have payer complexities. The purpose of the Financial Navigation team is to ensure that patients financial concerns do not create a barrier to receiving clinical care. The Financial Navigator I supports the revenue cycle stream for each patient service provided with a focus on the more straight‑forward, frequently‑occurring cases. The Financial Navigator I must fully understand, speak to and perform all tasks performed by a Pre‑Registration Associate. In addition, the Financial Navigator I must understand and be able to speak to the Admissions process in detail, including all regulatory components. The Financial Navigator I is responsible for ensuring that all payer requirements have been met and, if not, taking all steps necessary to ensure that the requirements are met. The Financial Navigator I must understand payment estimation and patient financial liability, and be able to explain all of these elements to the patient at a level that is meaningful to the patient (which will vary from patient to patient.) Finally, the Financial Navigator II must understand the full range of services provided by Financial Counseling and refer the patient appropriately.

Failure to correctly identify these components leads to the following down‑stream adverse impacts:

Failure to secure payer requirements results in lost revenue in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Failure to notify patients of potential out‑of‑pocket expenses in advance of services can result in undue stress and anxiety regarding the financial component of the patient's clinical care.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalent required.

WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?

Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.

PENN STATE HEALTH offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:

• Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
• Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
• Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
• Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
• Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.

WHY PENN STATE HEALTH CORPORATION?

There are many ways to make an impact with one of the leading research, teaching, and clinical healthcare systems in the country. Through a combination of operational, corporate, clinical, and nonclinical roles, we are advancing excellence and innovation in health care together as one team. As Penn State Health continues to evolve for the future, we are committed to hiring dedicated employees who are passionate about delivering the best possible support across our entire integrated health system.

Within Penn State Health’s Shared Services Entity, we encourage our employees at every turn to continue their education and advancement. Numerous opportunities are available for professional development and career growth.

YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State‑of‑the‑art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award‑winning? That’s all you.

This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract.

All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.

Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employerand does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.