Patient Financial Counselor - Behavioral Health

Hartford HealthCare; Windham (CT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Hartford HealthCare's Rushford Center is hiring a Patient Financial Counselor for Behavioral Health Services. You will help patients understand financial obligations, verify insurance, educate benefits, and set up affordable payment plans, ensuring transparency per No Surprise Act.

You will liaise between patients, clinical teams, and billing departments to resolve financial matters efficiently and sensitively.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Associate's degree in finance, healthcare administration, or related field preferred.
• Five years of experience in medical billing, patient financial services, or healthcare finance with experience in behavioral health.
• Seven years of experience in medical billing, patient financial services, or healthcare finance with experience in behavioral health strongly preferred.
• Bilingual is preferred.
• Working knowledge of commercial and government insurance programs (Medicaid, Medicare).
• Strong understanding of HIPAA regulations and confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Detail oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in electronic medical record systems.

Responsibilities

• Verify patient insurance coverage and eligibility for behavioral health services.
• Explain insurance benefits, coverage limitations and out-of-pocket costs to patients and families with clear customer service.
• Assist patients in applying for financial assistance programs and payment plans.
• Conduct financial screenings and assess patients' ability to pay using standardized guidelines.
• Serve as a resource for clinical staff regarding insurance related issues and coverage changes.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Bilingual (preferred)

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree in finance/healthcare administration

Tools

Electronic medical record (EMR) systems

Job description

Location Detail: 289 Windham Rd Willimantic (10534)

Work where every moment matters.

Every day, more than 40,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network.

Rushford Center, one of Connecticut's leading providers of addiction and mental health services, is nationally recognized for delivering outstanding prevention, treatment and recovery programs. We offer a wide range of programs including Acute Care and Evaluation, Residential Addiction Treatment, Individual, Group & Family Therapy, Intensive Outpatient programs and Community Support Programs. Through the passion of our specialists, we continue to treat every patient with care, compassion and respect, while providing affordable and accessible services.

Job Summary

The Patient Financial Counselor, Behavioral Health Services, is responsible for assisting patients and families in understanding and managing the financial obligations of their care. This includes insurance verification, benefits education, financial screening, and the establishment of payment plans. The counselor serves as a liaison between patients, clinical teams, and billing departments to ensure transparency and timely resolution of financial matters related to behavioral health treatment services. To ensure the behavioral health network is aligned with the No Surprise Act and provides transparency with out-of-pocket costs.

Job Responsibilities

• Verify patient insurance coverage and eligibility for behavioral health services.
• Explains insurance benefits, coverage limitations and out-of-pocket costs to patients and families, and provides impactful customer service in sensitive and confidential situations.
• Assists patients in applying for financial assistance programs, payment plans, if applicable.
• Conducts financial screenings and assesses patients' ability to pay using standardized guidelines.
• Serves as a resource for clinical staff regarding insurance related issues and changes in coverage criteria.

Qualifications

• High school diploma
• Associate's degree in finance, healthcare administration, or related field preferred
• Five years of experience in medical billing, patient financial services, or healthcare finance with experience in behavioral health
• Seven years of experience in medical billing, patient financial services, or healthcare finance with experience in behavioral health strongly preferred
• Bilingual is preferred
• Working knowledge of commercial and government insurance programs (Medicaid, Medicare)
• Strong understanding of HIPPA regulations and confidentiality
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to explain complex financial concepts
• Detail oriented with strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficient in electronic medical record systems

As a Hartford HealthCare entity, Rushford provides eligible employees with an extensive benefits package consisting of:

• Medical and dental benefits
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off with accrual starting on the date of hire, including seven paid holidays
• Additional voluntary benefits as well as employee discount programs

With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge - helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children. We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance. Every moment matters. And this is your moment.