Specialist | Patient Financial Services | Full Time

Specialist | Patient Financial Services | Full Time

The Patient Financial Specialist role is a blend of billing, claims follow-up, customer service, and payment posting. The Patient Financial Specialist plays a key part in ensuring that patients are billed correctly and that the organization is reimbursed accurately by insurance companies.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Insurance Claims Processing
  • Submit and follow-up with third-party payors, resolve delays, and handle patient statements.
  • Maintain HIPAA compliance.
  • Ensure accuracy in billing functions.
  • Complete and submit claim forms for payment and statement charges per payer instructions.
  • Follow up on delayed claims.
  • Sort and distribute incoming Patient Business Services mail.
  • Organize, scan (if applicable), and file cash folders.
• Cash Handling
  • Accept and post payments received from patients in person, over the phone, and via CRM/online payments.
  • Receive and file approvals for payment; mail statements for balance of charges when applicable.
  • Serve as backup for Accounts Receivable:
    • Accept payments through mail and over the counter.
    • Post checks received.
    • Balance cash and daily receipts.
    • Create daily cash sheet and payment posting batches.
    • Prepare bank deposits.
• Customer Service
  • Act as a compassionate, professional point of contact for patients, employers, and insurance providers regarding financial matters.
  • Treat each patient/guarantor as a valued customer.
  • Demonstrate empathy, courtesy, and professionalism in all interactions.
  • Maintain a positive and professional image.
• General Support
  • Assist with mail, phone coverage, and support other roles during absences (e.g., PFS Specialist, Prior Authorization Credentialing Specialist).
  • Assist the switchboard in emergency situations by serving as a runner for Patient Access.

Education/Experience:

• Completion of high school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Prior experience with typing and computer use.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; ability to learn electronic billing software within 60 days of hire.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Strong customer service skills and ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Excellent communication skills for explaining bills, insurance issues, and answering patient questions.
• Understanding of medical terminology and insurance guidelines/policies.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills; note-taking experience preferred.
• Experience in finance-related areas such as accounts receivable, patient billing, or insurance claims processing, preferred.

Professional Skills & Expectations:

• Takes responsibility for learning, applying, and modeling service standards in all encounters.
• Participates in service improvement training and activities.
• Helps others understand and apply service standards in customer interactions.
• Participates in special projects and/or committee work.
• Actively recognizes peers.
• Adheres to STAR Standards: Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Respect.
• Maintains confidentiality in compliance with state and federal law, including HIPAA.
• Complete annual in-service(s).
• Accountable for completion of training required for job description.
• Reliable in attendance and punctuality.
• Demonstrates safety practices in job performance.
• Demonstrates knowledge of compliance program/hotline.
• Resolves conflict productively by communicating with those involved and limiting discussion with those not involved.
• Refrains from gossip or negative commentary about customers.
• Supports organizational and departmental goals and performance improvement activities.
• Complies with all rule, regulations, laws, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Demonstrates respect for diverse cultural, religious, and philosophical values.
• Complies with Cell Phone policy.
• Complies with Computer Usage policy.
• Complies with Tamarack Health policies.

Benefits and Salary: The role pays a minimum of $20.02 per hour. Depending on relevant experience, a higher rate may be offered. Commensurate with position and experience. Comprehensive benefits package to include: medical, HSA, dental, 403(b) with employer match of 5%, life insurance, long-term disability, PTO, sick time, EAP, wellness benefits, etc.

About Us: As an independent hospital, we live our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of our region. To improve access to care, we have expanded our local specialty and primary care services in our communities. Not far from Duluth, MN, our campus resides in the beautiful north woods of Wisconsin where you can balance work and home life on our beautiful lakes and trails by partaking in personal interests such as biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, fishing, water sports, ATVing, snowmobiling, and much more.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.