Patient Advocate

Phoebe Putney Health Systems, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoebe Putney Health Systems, Inc. is seeking a Patient Advocate to provide financial counseling and assist patients with billing and payment options at the Albany, GA campus.

The role involves direct and indirect patient contact and coordinating with insurance and government programs to determine and secure financial assistance. The ideal candidate will have healthcare financial counseling experience, an associate degree (or a high school diploma with multiple years of relevant experience), and

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in a related field required or High School Diploma or GED with 4 years of relevant experience.
• 1+ years of healthcare financial counseling experience in a patient registration environment.
• CPAR Certification within 1-1/2 years required.
• ACA Certification required upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial counseling through direct/indirect patient contact.
• Estimate patient liability based on treatment plans and pre-certifications.
• Assist with financial clearance and eligibility verification.
• Explain cost estimates, payment plans, discounts, and financial assistance options.
• Coordinate with government programs and internal departments to secure assistance.

Skills

Financial counseling

Customer service

Education

Associate's Degree

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Number: 35168 Location: Phoebe North Campus Street Address: 2000 Palmyra Rd City, State: Albany, Georgia Zip Code: 31701 Department: PPHS PATIENT CONTACT CENTER Shift: Days Job Type: Full time Posted Date: 2026-10-01

Job Summary

The patient advocate provides financial counseling services through direct and indirect consultation with patients. This can be done either through Pre Service Financial clearance via telephone or through direct patient contact. Responsible for understanding the patient's financial standing, determining a financial course of action based on the standing, and seeking financial assistance programs if necessary. Understands the coordination of insurance benefits, screens and approves state financial assistance programs, and knowledgeable of PPMH payment options and guidelines. Possesses the ability to estimate patient liability based on treatment plans/pre-certification, and deliver estimation to the patient or their family. Collects funds for co-insurance, co-pay, and deductible. Obtains accurate patient demographics and insurance information to be used for billing and reimbursement purposes. Responsible for educating patients and designated individuals on their rights and responsibilities as a hospital patient and or guarantor, as well as securing all federal and state mandated forms (i.e., self-pay forms, Joint Commission, HIPAA, Advance Directives, waivers, Advance Beneficiary Notices, Medicare Secondary Payer Questionnaire, etc.). Senses emotionally sensitive financial situations and mitigates family burden; and works continuously with the patient during treatment to adjust financial programs if needed and if applicable.

Qualifications

Associate's Degree in a related field Required or High School Diploma or GED and 4 years additional relevant experience Required Work Experience 1 or more years experience in healthcare financial counseling in a patient registration environment Required 1or more years of experience in healthcare registration or experience obtained through a financial institution, collection agency or similar work environment.

Licenses and Certifications

CPAR Certification within 1-1/2 Yrs Required ACA Certification Upon Hire Required

Essential Functions

The Patient Advocate provides financial counseling services through direct and indirect consultation with patients. Monitors status and utilizes criteria to screen all scheduled appointments in various departments to address all uninsured, high deductible and ineligible patients prior to their date of service. Monitors status of point of service collections to facilitate patient financial clearance. Express options for patients that include cost estimates, payments plans, discounts and supplemental financial assistance. Obtain financial data during initial intake of screening application at time of scheduling. Completes a predetermination of pending services, or a financial workup in association with patient needing indigent and charity assistance. This could include, but not limited to: verifying insurance, ensuring that precertification(s) has been obtained, gathering various financial information to be used to confirm indigent or charity assistance. Verifies that prior authorizations and eligibility have been obtained if applicable. If neither task (prior authorization or eligibility) has been completed, then proper action is to be taken such as (not inclusive), contacting Patient Access personnel, notifying immediate management, validating with the insurance carrier(s); running eligibility via online tools, or contacting the insurance carrier. Screens and take applications for financial assistance and assists in obtaining needed information for review from the patient or the guarantor. Coordinates with various government agencies, internal departments, or vendors to gain assistance with Disability, Medicaid, Cancer State Aide, COBRA, etc. Provides support to the patient or guarantor by helping them understand and navigate through their financial responsibility relating to physician and hospital billing, insurance payments and denials, during the course of their treatment. Secures information relative to patient's financial status for collection purposes, estimates patient liability, performs a financial assessment and arranges for payment in full or a payment plan for patients without adequate third party coverage. Assist with administering various State and Federal programs such as the Maternal Grant, Condition Code 44, etc, audit inpatient and observation accounts for accuracy and admission coverage.

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Phoebe Putney Health System is southwest Georgia’s preferred career choice for professionals who want to improve the community’s health by joining a respected, cutting-edge team. We offer you the opportunity to collaborate with the best colleagues in a friendly, close-knit setting that feels like family. Your career at Phoebe will allow you to apply learned skills, explore new paths and advance into greater opportunities. There's more for you at Phoebe. Phoebe is simply the best, most advanced healthcare provider in the region. If you want to work in the medical field, we are the preferred choice, with the best technology, the most specialists and the area’s top talent. If you are searching for a non-clinical career that allows you to serve the community and grow, you’ll also find us ideal. We’re one of the area’s premier employers, offering a close-knit culture, outstanding benefits and many ways to develop your career.