Financial Counselor

Join Our Team as a Financial Counselor at Hometown Health Centers!

Location: On-site position, Schenectady, NY

Position Type: Full-Time

Who We Are:

At Hometown Health, we believe that healthcare is more than just a service — it’s a commitment to helping people live healthier, happier lives. We focus on improving health outcomes and promoting health equity through excellent primary care and preventative services. Every day, we strive to provide compassionate, quality care to our community.

The Financial Counselor assists families/individuals with the application process for enrollment in NYS sponsored health insurance programs. This position is responsible for proactive financial clearance, insurance pre-verification and research, sliding fee program administration, and patient financial counseling in alignment with FQHC regulatory requirements. This position reports to the Manager of Manager of Financial Counseling and helps to support outreach program activities both inside and outside of Hometown Health Centers (HHC).

Essential Responsibilities:

• Engage uninsured patients and guide them through NYS health insurance enrollment.

• Manage enrollment workflows with accurate tracking, documentation, and timely follow-up.

• Educate patients on insurance options with clear, culturally sensitive communication.

• Verify insurance coverage ahead of appointments to ensure financial clearance.

• Support Sliding Fee Program by screening patients and maintaining audit-ready records.

• Participate in community outreach and represent the organization at events.

• Collaborate with billing to resolve coverage issues and support revenue goals.

• Provide financial counseling, including payment plans and balance discussions.

• Coordinate across departments to ensure a seamless patient experience.

• Maintain compliance and QA data aligned with FQHC, HRSA, HIPAA, and organizational standards.

• Support management and staff training through updates, projects, and education.

• Work flexible hours as needed.

Why You’ll Love Working at Hometown Health:

• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Personal, Floating Holidays, Paid Holidays)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Forgiveness
• Employer-Paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Plus, extra employee perks and a team that feels like family!

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Associate’s degree in healthcare administration, business, or related field preferred.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

• Minimum 1-3 years of experience in:

§ Patient financial services

§ Medical billing/registration

§ Insurance verification

EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE / TRAINING:

• Must be certified NYS marketplace insurance enrollment.

• Must be familiar with medical terminology and health insurance plan benefits.

• Ability to handle sensitive financial conversations professionally.

• Excellent communication and patient education skills.

• Strong knowledge of FQHC Sliding Fee Discount Program.

• Ability to work independently and manage high-volume workloads.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to move/lift up to 15 lbs. Long periods of sitting and use of computer work. Standing and walking.

Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re passionate about healthcare, eager to support others, and looking for a place to grow, Hometown Health is the place for you!