Financial Counselor (Customer Service) - Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Job Title: Financial Counselor

Location: Lakewood, NJ

Department: Patient Financial Services

Req#: 0000192268

Status: Full-Time

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $22.50 – $30.28 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Job Summary:

RWJBarnabas Health is seeking a Financial Counselor to support patients and families by ensuring financial coverage is cleared for hospital services. This role plays a critical part in the revenue cycle, helping patients understand insurance benefits, financial responsibility, and available assistance programs such as Medicaid and Charity Care. The Financial Counselor serves as a patient advocate, working collaboratively with clinical, social work, and case management teams to support access to care while driving timely account resolution.

Key Responsibilities

• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits to ensure financial clearance prior to or during care
• Identify appropriate payment sources, including commercial insurance, Medicaid, Charity Care, and self-pay
• Screen patients for eligibility programs and submit applications timely for approval
• Create financial estimates and collect point-of-service payments when appropriate
• Educate patients and families on financial responsibility, coverage options, and available resources
• Act as a patient advocate, addressing concerns related to billing, access to care, and service quality
• Collaborate with social workers and case management to support funding for discharge planning
• Ensure accurate and timely account updates related to Medicaid, Charity Care, or commercial coverage
• Research and resolve issues that may delay payment or account resolution
• Support quality, productivity, and collection goals while maintaining patient-centered service
• Partner across the revenue cycle and hospital departments to facilitate efficient account resolution.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required (or completion within one year of hire)
• Minimum 4 years of hospital billing, accounting, or related healthcare financial experience
• Knowledge of Medicaid, Charity Care, uncompensated care, and insurance regulations
• Familiarity with medical terminology and insurance verification preferred
• Prior experience in hospital admissions or patient financial services preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and computer proficiency
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Bilingual skills, English/Spanish, required.

Scheduling Requirements:

• Full-time
• 10-30 am – 6:30 pm Tuesday – Saturday (Schudule can change based on business needs)
• Rotating holidays required

Work Environment

• Hospital-based, patient-facing role
• Regular interaction with patients, families, visitors, clinical staff, and hospital departments

Why Join RWJBarnabas Health

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest integrated healthcare system, committed to delivering high-quality, equitable care while supporting the communities we serve. We offer opportunities for growth, meaningful work, and the chance to make a real impact on patients’ lives during critical moments.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

At RWJBarnabas Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Driven by our Total Wellbeing promise, our market-competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, financial, personal, career, and community wellbeing. These benefits and resources include, but are not limited to:

• Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time
• Retirement Plans
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Planning Support
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Community and Volunteer Opportunities
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, and Verizon
• ….and more!

At RWJBarnabas Health, our market-competitive Total Rewards package provides comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees physical, emotional, social, and financial health.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer