Eligibility Specialist 3 at Savista

Here at Savista, we enable our clients to navigate the biggest challenges in healthcare: quality clinical care with positive patient experiences and optimal financial results. We partner with healthcare organizations to problem solve and deliver revenue cycle improvement services that enable their success, support their patients, and nurture their communities, all while living our values of Commitment, Authenticity, Respect and Excellence (CARE).

Job Purpose

The Eligibility Specialist III is a critical advocate for patients, helping uninsured and underinsured individuals access financial assistance for medical care. This role serves as a subject matter expert and team leader, responsibility for training new colleagues, delivering ongoing education, and supporting colleagues across multiple hospital locations. Additionally, the Eligibility Specialist III will provide vacancy coverage as needed, conducting detailed assessments, guiding patients through application processes for government and charity-funded programs and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Successful candidates have a passion for mentoring others, are empathetic, detail-oriented, and skilled at navigating healthcare systems to support patients in receiving the care they need.

Work Schedule and Location:

• Work Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week, hourly position. Flexibility required to meet business needs, with core working hours between Monday through Saturday 8:00am to 4:30p. Does not include commuting time to and from locations. Mileage reimbursable beyond average normal commute time. Schedules published at least one week in advance where possible.  Occasional need to flex to a location on demand when call outs present.

• Primary Hospital Locations: This position is onsite and requires floating coverage to multiple primary hospital locations throughout the work week based on operational needs, as well as occasionally providing in-home patient visits:

  • St. Joseph Hospital – 77 N Airlite St., Elgin, IL. 60123

  • Holy Family Medical Center – 100 N River Rd., Des Plains, IL. 60016

  • St. Joseph Medical Center – 333 Madison St., Joliet, IL. 60435

  • Mercy Medical Center – 1325 N Highland Ave., Aurora, IL. 60506

  • Resurrection Medical Center – 7435 W. Talcott Ave., Chicago, IL. 60631

  • St. Mary Hospital – 2233 W Division St., Chicago, IL. 60622

  • St. Elizabeth Medical Center – 1431 N. Claremont Ave., Chicago, IL. 60622

  • St. Mary’s Hospital – 500 W Court St., Kankakee, IL. 60901

  • St. Francis Hospital – 355 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL.  60202

  • In-home patient visits, as the business requires.  

Key Responsibilities

• Travel regularly to assigned facilities and occasionally conduct in-home visits, ensuring timely and efficient support across multiple locations within the service area*.

• Facilitate, guide, and mentor colleagues as a team lead and subject matter expert, providing hands-on onboarding and continuous developmental training.

• In the absence of the Manager, oversee the day-to-day business operations and provide necessary support to the team.

• Identify opportunities for on-going improvement for workflows and patient experience, suggesting changes to leadership for optimizing eligibility services.

• Meet with patients in-person, including bedside visits, to assess financial assistance eligibility and provide compassionate guidance on available programs.

• Facilitate the application process for programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Disability, and hospital charity care, ensuring timely submission of accurate documentation.

• Act as a liaison between patients, hospital staff, and government agencies to establish eligibility, secure funding and resolve coverage issues.

• Responsible for a high caseload, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and ensure effective follow-up on pending applications.

• Clearly communicate financial obligations, funding options, and program details to patients in an empathetic and professional manner.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records in compliance with HIPAA and organizational policies.

• Consistently achieve productivity and quality metrics, contributing to the organization's financial counseling objectives.

• Efficiently use multiple systems and databases to gather, track, and report on patient data.

• Complete special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications & Competencies:

Required:

• High school diploma or GED

• Proficiency in English and Spanish

• At least 3 years of experience in healthcare eligibility or financial counseling, with demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience.

• Flexibility to provide support to multiple hospital locations and in-home patient visits within assigned market area as based on operational needs.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and empathetically.

• Ability to identify solutions to financial challenges, leveraging program knowledge to benefit patients.

• Capability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and patient needs.

• Demonstrate genuine care for patients’ needs and concerns, building trust and rapport.

• Work effectively with colleagues, hospital staff, and external agencies to achieve shared goals.

• Ensures all documentation is accurate, complete, and submitted on time.

• Reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and ability to travel within assigned service area.

• Travel: Regular daily travel to assigned facilities is required, with occasional field visits to patients' homes. Travel percentage is estimated at 20-30%, not including daily commuting*.

Preferred:

• Experience in healthcare revenue cycle, financial counseling, or insurance verification.

• Familiarity with state and federal assistance programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security Disability.

• Knowledge of medical terminology and healthcare accounts receivable processes.

Note: Savista is required by state specific laws to include the salary range for this role when hiring a resident in applicable locations. The salary range for this role is from $26.00 to $28.00. However, specific compensation for the role will vary within the above range based on many factors including but not limited to geographic location, candidate experience, applicable certifications, and skills.

SAVISTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, veteran status, disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, gender identity or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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