Financial Counselor Oncology

Company Name: Beacon Health System
Location: Elkhart, Indiana, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Salary Range: Negotiable
Industry: Healthcare / Insurance / Government (related to patient assistance programs)

Job Overview

Beacon Health System is a leading provider of comprehensive healthcare services, dedicated to enhancing the health of the communities we serve. We are seeking a highly compassionate and knowledgeable Financial Counselor Oncology (Oncology Financial Navigator) to join our team in Elkhart, Indiana. This Full-time, Mid-Level role offers a vital opportunity to serve as a crucial “point person” for financial navigation, directly supporting oncology patients and their families through complex healthcare and financial challenges.

As a Financial Counselor Oncology, you will be instrumental in conducting financial needs assessments, advocating for patients’ financial needs, and assisting them in applying for various alternative medical benefits and assistance programs. You will leverage your understanding of insurance reimbursement, government programs, and exceptional interpersonal skills to establish supportive relationships and optimize healthcare coverage. If you are a proactive problem-solver with a customer-focused mindset, thrive in a sensitive healthcare environment, and are eager to make a tangible impact on reducing financial distress for cancer patients, Beacon Health System invites you to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a “point person” for financial navigation for oncology patients, guiding them through their healthcare financial journey.
• Complete comprehensive financial needs assessments with new cancer patients, both in-person or via telecommunication.
• Advocate proactively for patient’s financial needs throughout the system, ensuring their voice is heard.
• Obtain detailed patient insurance benefit information, ensuring full understanding of coverage.
• Discuss benefits and financial issues clearly and empathetically with patients and their families.
• Assist patients and their representatives in applying for alternative medical benefits such as Medicaid and various patient assistance funds.
• Collaborate with the healthcare team to optimize healthcare coverage and actively reduce financial distress for patients.
• Establish positive, supportive relationships with patients using effective customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Render expert financial counseling and psychosocial interventions for sensitive financial issues.
• Collaborate with patient and family to facilitate understanding of insurance coverage, cost of care, out-of-pocket expenses, program eligibility, and navigating changes over time.
• Partner with various healthcare providers to ensure patient support and uninterrupted care due to financial concerns.
• Successfully obtain estimated patient responsibility for cancer services, communicate estimates clearly, and facilitate collection of payments.
• Identify viable options for insurance optimization and additional financial assistance.
• Work with billing office staff to set up manageable payment plans for patients.
• Respond effectively to crisis situations and engage patients/families for appropriate interventions.
• Answer all billing and insurance questions accurately and compassionately.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive database and create reports of patient funding secured.
• Monitor and gain a deep understanding of new public and private cancer resource programs.
• Serve as a valuable resource for patients and families on all financial matters.
• Address insurance coverage gaps by identifying and applying alternative funding options.
• Complete job-related assignments and special projects as assigned.
• Attend all department meetings, complete mandatory education/competencies/health requirements, and maintain any pertinent licensure/certification.
• Consistently utilize appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques for safety.
• Adhere to all regulatory agency requirements and policies.
• Be available to work overtime and additional shifts/schedules when required to meet patient needs.
• Possess a High School Diploma (required); advanced degree preferred.
• Possess a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a professional healthcare environment or as a financial biller in a healthcare setting or social worker (required).
• Have 2-5 years of relevant experience in healthcare, insurance reimbursement, government programs, financial assistance resources, psychosocial assessment, and interventions (preferred).
• Possess 1 year of relevant experience in an outpatient, ambulatory setting such as oncology (preferred).
• Maintain a general knowledge of insurance.

Qualifications

• Experience Level: Mid-Level (Minimum 2 years experience in a professional healthcare environment or related role, with preferred additional experience in healthcare/insurance/oncology).
• Education Requirement: High School Diploma required; advanced degree preferred.
• Required Skills:
  • High School Diploma required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a professional healthcare environment or as a financial biller in a healthcare setting or social worker (required).
  • 2-5 years of relevant experience in healthcare, insurance reimbursement, government programs, financial assistance resources, psychosocial assessment, and interventions (preferred).
  • 1 year of relevant experience in an outpatient, ambulatory setting such as oncology (preferred).
  • General knowledge of insurance.
  • Proven ability to serve as a “point person” for financial navigation for oncology patients.
  • Skilled in completing financial needs assessments with new cancer patients (in-person or telecommunication).
  • Proficient in advocating for patient’s financial needs throughout the system.
  • Capable of obtaining detailed patient insurance benefit information.
  • Adept at discussing benefits and financial issues with patients/families.
  • Experienced in assisting patients/representatives in applying for alternative medical benefits (Medicaid, patient assistance funds).
  • Strong at collaborating with healthcare team to optimize healthcare coverage and reduce financial distress.
  • Skilled in establishing positive, supportive relationships with patients using effective customer service/interpersonal skills.
  • Proficient in rendering financial counseling and psychosocial interventions for sensitive financial issues.
  • Capable of collaborating with patient and family to facilitate understanding of insurance coverage, cost of care, out-of-pocket expenses, program eligibility, and navigating changes over time.
  • Adept at partnering with various healthcare providers to ensure patient support and uninterrupted care due to financial concerns.
  • Proven ability to successfully obtain estimated patient responsibility for cancer services, communicating estimates, and collecting payments.
  • Skilled in identifying options for insurance optimization/financial assistance.
  • Experienced in working with billing office staff to set up payment plans.
  • Proficient in responding to crisis situations and engaging patients/families for interventions.
  • Capable of answering billing and insurance questions.
  • Skilled in establishing and maintaining a database and creating reports of patient funding secured.
  • Adept at monitoring and gaining understanding of new public and private cancer resource programs.
  • Proven ability to serve as a resource for patients and families on financial matters.
  • Skilled in addressing insurance coverage gaps via alternative funding options.
  • Capable of completing job-related assignments and special projects.
  • Proficient in attending department meetings, completing mandatory education/competencies/health requirements, maintaining licensure/certification.
  • Experienced in consistently utilizing appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques.
  • Adept at adhering to regulatory agency requirements and policies.
  • Available to work overtime and additional shifts/schedules.

Salary and Benefits

Beacon Health System offers competitive compensation for this Full-time Financial Counselor Oncology position. Your salary will be negotiable and determined based on your experience, qualifications, and specialized expertise in oncology financial navigation. We are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our valued team members. Beyond your salary, Beacon Health System provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well-being and professional growth, which typically includes robust medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, and retirement planning options.

Working Conditions

This is a Full-time, On-site position located in Elkhart, Indiana, United States. You will primarily work within an outpatient, ambulatory setting, specifically within oncology. The role involves direct interaction with cancer patients and their families, both in-person and via telecommunication, often discussing sensitive financial and psychosocial issues. The environment requires a high degree of empathy, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage crisis situations. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team and various external agencies. You will be expected to adhere to all regulatory agency requirements and may be available to work overtime and additional shifts/schedules as needed.

Why Work with Us

At Beacon Health System, we are more than just a healthcare provider; we are a dedicated community of caregivers committed to enhancing the health and well-being of those we serve. Joining us as a Financial Counselor Oncology means becoming a vital part of a system that values Healthcare excellence, compassionate patient support, and effective Insurance and Government program navigation.

You’ll be empowered to significantly reduce financial distress for cancer patients, optimize their healthcare coverage, and directly impact their access to critical care. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment where your compassion, problem-solving skills, and expertise in financial assistance programs are highly valued. If you are a driven and empathetic professional seeking a challenging role where your contributions make a tangible and profound difference in the lives of oncology patients, Beacon Health System offers an excellent opportunity for your career growth.