Patient Access Financial Counselor I (2:30pm-11:00pm with rotating weekends)

MedStar Health; Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health is seeking a Patient Access Financial Counselor I to support Registration across the Emergency Department, physician offices, and outpatient procedures. You will collect co-pays and deductibles, perform cashiering, verify insurance, and prepare financial data while guiding patients through assistance options.

The role emphasizes accurate EHR registration, HIPAA compliance, and collaboration with billing and care teams to resolve financial issues and ensure access to care.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years healthcare financial counseling, patient registration or cashiering required.
• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collects co-pays, deductibles, and outstanding balances at the point of service.
• Performs cashiering duties: issuing receipts, balancing cash drawers, reconciling daily transactions.
• Ensures accurate posting of payments in MedStar's financial systems.
• Registers patients accurately in the hospital's EHR system.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and benefits prior to or during visits.
• Educates patients on financial assistance programs and guides through applications.
• Collaborates with billing, case management and physician office staff to resolve financial issues.
• Escalates complex financial cases to supervisors or financial assistance teams.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

HIS proficiency

MS Office

Insurance knowledge

Financial assistance knowledge

Empathy in financial conversations

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's degree preferred

Tools

EHR systems

MS Office Suite

Job description

About the Job

General Summary of Position

The Patient Access Financial Counselor I at MedStar Health supports the Patient Registration department by providing financial counseling and registration services across multiple care settings including the Emergency Department Physician Offices and Outpatient Procedure areas. This role is responsible for collecting co-pays and deductibles performing cashiering duties verifying insurance preparing financial data for collections and assisting patients with financial assistance applications. The counselor ensures patients are informed of their financial responsibilities and helps facilitate access to care through financial support options.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies procedures quality standards and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
• Collects co-pays deductibles and outstanding balances at the point of service for Emergency Department visits Physician Office appointments and Outpatient procedures
• Performs cashiering duties including issuing receipts balancing cash drawers and reconciling daily transactions.
• Ensures accurate posting of payments in MedStar's financial systems.
• Registers patients accurately and efficiently in the hospital's electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and benefits prior to or during patient visits.
• Ensures all required documentation is collected scanned and stored appropriately.
• Educates patients on available financial assistance programs and guide them through application processes.
• Identifies accounts requiring follow-up and prepare financial data for referral to the collections department.
• Maintains detailed records of financial discussions and payment arrangements.
• Ensures compliance with MedStar Health policies HIPAA regulations and financial protocols.
• Collaborates with billing case management and physician office staff to resolve financial issues.
• Escalates complex financial cases to supervisors or financial assistance teams.

Minimal Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required and
• Associate's degree preferred

Experience

• 1-2 years Healthcare financial counseling patient registration or cashiering required

Licenses and Certifications

• CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate preferred and
• CRSCS - Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist - Customer Service preferred

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Proficient in hospital information systems and Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of insurance plans billing practices and financial assistance programs.
• Ability to handle sensitive financial conversations with empathy and professionalism.

This position has a hiring range of

USD $20.57 - USD $36.27 /Hr.