As our financial services advisor, Matthew Burger works to make sure all neurology patients at our Morreene Road and 1L Clinics have the best and most appropriate financial resources to help meet their needs. For this week’s “Spotlight” interview, Burger talks to us about how he and his colleagues are able to assist patients, his history before coming to Duke, and looking forward to traveling and life without a mask once the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
What are your current responsibilities within the Neurology Department? What does a typical day look like for you?
My primary role and responsibility is to ensure patients are financially taken care of before coming to the Neurology Department. This includes day to day activities being online or on the phone with insurance companies submitting requests for services. Additionally I serve as a co-cash manager with a colleague which entails us ensure payments received at the front desk are secure and documented for deposit. I do my best to support my team and be a resource when they are working through their day to day activities as well.
How and when did you first come to Duke?
I first came to Duke in February 2018 after working a couple jobs in the Triangle. Prior to Duke I worked with a Keller Williams office in Raleigh and at a local marketing agency off Glenwood. I never thought I would be working for an institution such as this one, but I am very grateful to be a part of this place and team.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The most enjoyable aspect about my work is being able to assist patients in being financially stable when it comes to their healthcare needs. I want to help and be a resource as much as I can giving them all options available (payment plans, financial assistance applications, etc.). I also really enjoy being around my amazing coworkers and team – I could not get through a full day without them.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of the job, especially in the pandemic, is seeing how patients are struggling financially while they are really needing to be seen and cared for. It’s never easy telling patients how much a service is going to cost out of pocket, even if they have insurance, and they decide to not proceed in order to not bear that financial burden.
What are you most looking forward to once the COVID-19 pandemic is over?
Not wearing a mask!! I forget how my coworkers and people look without a mask. I also really look forward to traveling to new places again without the fear of contracting COVID-19.
What other passions or hobbies do you have outside of the Department?
Outside of work one could find me hiking or being outdoors with a small group of people. I also really enjoy venturing out to our local Durham breweries and creating or trying new vegetarian dishes.
Burger enjoys the outdoors with a canine friend.