Job Description & Qualifications
A Brief Overview
As a Financial Counselor, you’ll help patients navigate one of the most complicated parts of their healthcare experience: understanding and managing the cost of care.
You’ll serve as a trusted financial advocate, helping patients understand insurance coverage, expected costs, financial assistance, Medicaid eligibility, payment options, and other resources that may make care more accessible. You’ll work directly with patients and families to answer questions, identify solutions, and reduce financial barriers before and after services are provided.
You’ll also partner with providers, community agencies, and internal teams to support financial clearance, accurate estimates, reimbursement, and a positive patient experience while maintaining organizational and regulatory requirements.
What You Will Do
- Provide compassionate, timely financial counseling and support to patients before scheduled services.
- Prepare and explain patient estimates and Good Faith Estimates (GFEs).
- Help patients understand deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, out-of-pocket costs, and other financial responsibilities.
- Review insurance benefits and explain coverage limitations that may affect a patient’s costs.
- Guide patients through out-of-network benefits, reference-based plans, self-pay options, and other financial considerations.
- Conduct financial counseling appointments for IVF and other specialty services.
- Help patients establish payment arrangements, explore financing options, and make initial payments when appropriate.
- Conduct pre-service financial clearance and collection activities.
- Proactively reach out to patients who may need additional financial support before receiving care.
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Identify financial or reimbursement concerns early and connect patients with appropriate solutions or additional review.
Connect patients with financial assistance and coverage
- Help patients understand and apply for available hospital financial assistance programs.
- Guide patients through application and documentation requirements.
- Assess financial hardship and identify programs and resources that may help.
- Assist patients with Medicaid applications, renewals, redeterminations, and eligibility verification.
- Support presumptive eligibility screenings and enrollment.
- Follow pending Medicaid applications through eligibility determination.
- Serve as an Authorized Representative for patients when properly designated.
- Partner with county agencies, managed care organizations, government agencies, and community resources to help patients access coverage.
- Educate uninsured and underinsured patients about Medicaid, insurance, financial assistance, and other available resources.
Be a trusted resource when patients have financial questions
- Listen to patient concerns, research account questions, and provide clear solutions and next steps.
- Manage inbound and outbound financial counseling calls.
- Answer questions about estimates, Good Faith Estimates, insurance coverage, Medicaid, payment plans, financial assistance, billing concerns, and financial clearance.
- Provide proactive support to patients who may be financially at risk.
- Connect patients with Customer Service or other departments when additional assistance is needed while helping ensure a smooth handoff.
- Escalate sensitive or complex concerns to the appropriate team.
- Create a positive patient experience through education, communication, empathy, and financial advocacy.
Help improve access to care and the patient experience
- Participate in community outreach events, health fairs, enrollment programs, and educational activities.
- Support efforts designed to expand healthcare access and connect uninsured patients with available resources.
- Review reports, worklists, and account information to identify opportunities to improve processes and the patient experience.
- Contribute ideas for improving workflows, technology, financial counseling practices, and patient engagement.
- Support department projects, reporting, analytics, and performance initiatives.
- Participate in initiatives involving financial counseling, Revenue Cycle performance, patient engagement, enrollment, and health equity.
- Assist with training, mentoring, and onboarding as assigned.
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Stay current on industry practices and share opportunities for improvement with leadership.
Additional Responsibilities
- You’ll help ensure financial counseling activities follow applicable requirements, including the No Surprises Act, Good Faith Estimate requirements, financial assistance requirements, CMS guidance, Medicaid requirements, and organizational policies.
- You’ll protect patient privacy and securely handle Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with required training, the UH Code of Conduct, and organizational policies and procedures.
- You may also perform additional responsibilities based on department needs, with more detailed processes and expectations provided during orientation.
- High School Equivalent / GED (Required)
- Associate’s Degree in Healthcare, Business, Revenue Cycle, Social Services, Public Health, or related field (Preferred)
Work Experience
- 3+ years in revenue cycle, patient access, patient financial services, healthcare reimbursement, financial counseling, or healthcare-related field (Required)
- Experience with medical billing software (Preferred)
- Experience with patient estimates, Good Faith Estimates, financial clearance activities, financial assistance programs, Medicaid enrollment, or eligibility programs (Preferred)
- Experience with pre-service collections, payment plans, and patient financial advocacy
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Knowledge of managed care insurance requirements (Required proficiency)
- Knowledge of Price Transparency, Good Faith Estimate, and No Surprises Act requirements (Required proficiency)
- Knowledge of Medicaid eligibility, enrollment processes, presumptive eligibility, and public assistance programs (Required proficiency)
- Investigative and research skills to identify financial options for patients (Required proficiency)
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills (Required proficiency)
- Proficient with digital systems, applications, and workflow tools (Required proficiency)
- Advanced knowledge of medical billing and claims terminology and workflow processing (Required proficiency)
- Consistently demonstrates advanced analytical and problem-solving skills (Required proficiency)
- Exceptional client service, communication, patient advocacy, and relationship-building skills (Required proficiency)
- Ability to educate patients regarding insurance coverage, financial responsibility, and available financial resources (Required proficiency)
- Self-motivated, works independently, and consistently demonstrates the ability to perform in a fast-paced environment (Required proficiency)
- Demonstrated proficiency with Epic, HIS systems, estimation tools, eligibility systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and general office equipment (Required proficiency)
Licenses and Certifications
- Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) (Preferred)
- Ohio Certified Application Counselor or equivalent Medicaid enrollment certification (Preferred)
Physical Demands
- Standing Occasionally
- Walking Occasionally
- Sitting Constantly
- Lifting Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Carrying Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Pushing Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Pulling Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Climbing Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Balancing Rarely
- Stooping Rarely
- Kneeling Rarely
- Crouching Rarely
- Crawling Rarely
- Reaching Rarely
- Handling Occasionally
- Grasping Occasionally
- Feeling Rarely
- Talking Constantly
- Hearing Constantly
- Repetitive Motions Frequently
- Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Frequently
Travel Requirements
- 10%
Additional Salary Detail:
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of posting of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member’s base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, union negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity). This figure does not include, unless otherwise stated incentive pay or shift differential pay or the value of University Hospitals’ comprehensive benefits package, which includes healthcare, dental, vision, retirement plan options, and additional offerings. Click here to view complete wellness and benefits details.
For over 150 years, University Hospitals has been dedicated to our mission To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. Starting as a small Cleveland hospital in 1866, UH has grown into 18 hospitals and 40 health centers, serving 1 million people annually.
UH delivers exceptional care, advances medical innovation, and trains future healthcare leaders. Now, you have the opportunity to add your talents to this legacy of care. At UH, you’ll join a collaborative team in an inspiring environment where your skills and ideas will be valued. Together, we can continue to shape the future of healthcare and deliver on the promise of our mission for generations to come.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
At University Hospitals, everything we do is driven by our dedication to providing the highest quality patient care. All members of our team, regardless of whether they interact directly with patients, support our mission and share our commitment to caring, compassion, teamwork and providing an exceptional UH experience.
A career in professional services with University Hospitals provides challenging opportunities in:
- Operations – meeting the ever-evolving needs of the health care industry
- Learning – employing the most advanced, leading-edge health care technology
- Diversity – growing your experience by exploring multiple facets of various business functions
- Collaboration – working with cross-functional teams of the highest-caliber clinicians and support staff
Join us in advancing the science of Health and the art of compassion.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
University Hospitals is a national leader in healthcare that takes pride in calling Northeast Ohio home. With more than 150 locations throughout Cleveland and the surrounding metropolitan areas, UH provides unique opportunities to deliver world-class care in the communities where our employees live, work, and play.
We want you to make a career with us and we are here to support you – both in and out of work. Our comprehensive benefits program offers choice and flexibility to meet you where you are in your life.
- Medical Plans
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plan
- Paid Short and Long Term Disability
- Life and Account Insurance
- Additional Voluntary Benefits
- Wellness Programs and Plans
- Financial Health Resources
- Career Development Resources
- And More!
*Benefits may vary based on FTE Status and Position Type.
View complete wellness and benefits details on our Why Choose Us page.

We want you to make a career with us and we are here to support you – both in and out of work. Our comprehensive benefits program offers choice and flexibility to meet you where you are in your life.
- Medical Plans
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plan
- Paid Short and Long Term Disability
- Life and Account Insurance
- Additional Voluntary Benefits
- Wellness Programs and Plans
- Financial Health Resources
- Career Development Resources
- And More!
*Benefits may vary based on FTE Status and Position Type.


Working at University Hospitals
Careers at UH offers opportunities to provide care locally in the Cleveland area with the power to impact healthcare nationwide. As leaders in our industry, our staff share a commitment to be the difference in the lives of our patients and our communities from Northeast Ohio and beyond. Look at this video to discover how we’re building an organization for the future today.
Nightshift Module
Night shift provides a unique and rewarding opportunity for caregivers who thrive in a close-knit, supportive environment. With fewer distractions and a calmer atmosphere, you’ll have the chance to foster meaningful relationships with both colleagues and patients. The quieter pace allows for more in-depth patient connections, greater autonomy, and the opportunity to refine your skills. Whether it’s the flexibility to fit your lifestyle, the teamwork and problem-solving that come with a close-knit team, or the financial benefits of shift differential pay, night shift offers a space where you can grow both personally and professionally. If you excel in a late-night environment and appreciate the independence and collaboration it offers, our night shift team is the perfect fit for you!
Hear from our team about why they enjoy working the night shift and how it has shaped their careers.
Sara H.
Multi Modality
I like nightshift because the smaller staff helps me build connections and friendships with the staff around me. Helping us to better communicate without any issues, including doctors. I can work independently, keeping my thinking skills sharp. Even when it is quiet, it is never boring.










