Account Specialist

Independent Health Association; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Scorecard incentive program

Full benefits package

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Independent Health Association in Buffalo, NY is seeking an Account Specialist to serve as the primary contact for employer groups and brokers, guiding enrollment, eligibility, and billing processes. You will work with Account Managers and internal teams to ensure strong employer relationships and accurate account handling.

The role requires 3 years in account servicing or related healthcare operations, strong communication skills, and willingness to travel locally.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in account or member servicing, healthcare operations, or sales operations required.
• Self-funded healthcare experience preferred.
• Ability to balance policy with customer-centric servicing.
• Ability to articulate complex systems and processes clearly.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Regulatory requirements familiarity and ability to participate in external audits.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day group account and membership operations, including enrollment, eligibility, membership maintenance, and fulfillment activities.
• Plan, coordinate, and administer open enrollment, new account implementations, plan changes, and other significant account activities.
• Oversee electronic enrollment processes and membership data exchanges with employers and third-party administrators.
• Monitor and verify membership materials, system transactions, testing activities, and data accuracy.
• Serve as a primary contact for employers, members, and business partners, addressing policies, procedures, and account administration.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Decision making

Overtime availability

Local travel

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

FIND YOUR FUTURE

We're excited about the potential people bring to our organization. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits and a culture that fosters growth, innovation and collaboration.

Overview

The Account Specialist will serve as the employer group and third-party contact for issues including but not limited to claims, eligibility, benefit clarification and billing. They will serve as the primary account representative for a select group of accounts, maintaining existing relationships with key decision makers and brokers to facilitate member retention and growth. The Account Specialist will oversee the implementation process for assigned new and renewing accounts. They will provide employer centric service by collaboratively working with all internal departments resulting in employer satisfaction. This role will work directly with Account Managers and employers to plan and internally administer account activities. They will need to understand, interpret and communicate policy and procedures appropriately with internal and external contacts and recognize and appropriately triage sales/product placement issues or opportunities and billing and receivable issues.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required. Associates degree preferred.
• Three (3) years of experience in account or member servicing, healthcare operations, or sales operations required. Self-funded healthcare experience preferred.
• Ability to make consistent decisions that effectively balance the administration of policy with rational, logical, customer centric servicing.
• Ability to understand and articulate complex systems, process and concepts and influence outcomes through clear and effective communication and collaboration.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills required.
• Salesforce experience preferred.
• Capacity to understand and manage regulatory requirements and professionally participate in external audits and client meetings.
• Ability to work overtime, flexible hours, weekends and holidays are required and a condition of employment.
• Local travel required. Any Independent Health associate who uses a motor vehicle in the course of their duties representing Independent Health must be compliant with State Motor Vehicle laws and must follow the Policy that pertains to Driver's License Requirements as a condition of employment.
• Proven examples of displaying the IH values: Passionate, Caring, Respectful, Trustworthy, Collaborative and Accountable.

Essential Accountabilities

• Manage day-to-day group account and membership operations, including enrollment, eligibility, membership maintenance, and fulfillment activities.
• Plan, coordinate, and administer open enrollment, new account implementations, plan changes, and other significant account activities.
• Oversee electronic enrollment processes and membership data exchanges with employers and third-party administrators.
• Monitor and verify membership materials, system transactions, testing activities, and data accuracy.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employers, members, and business partners, responding to inquiries regarding policies, procedures, and account administration.
• Provide education, training, and ongoing support to employers to promote effective account management and positive member outcomes.
• Tailor service approaches to meet unique employer needs and attend client meetings to strengthen relationships and ensure service expectations are met.
• Research, analyze, and resolve complex account, eligibility, and self-funded plan issues by leveraging plan documents, claims data, enrollment records, vendor information, and internal resources.
• Take ownership of issues through resolution, ensuring timely follow-up and effective problem solving.
• Identify, investigate, and elevate potential fraud, compliance concerns, or operational discrepancies as appropriate.
• Recognize and appropriately route sales opportunities, product placement issues, billing concerns, and receivable matters to the appropriate teams.
• Maintain technical, operational, regulatory, and industry knowledge needed to effectively perform responsibilities.

Immigration or work visa sponsorship will not be provided for this position. Hiring Compensation Range: $24.00 - $27.00 hourly.

Compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to skills, education, location and experience.

In addition to base compensation, associates may be eligible for a scorecard incentive, full range of benefits and generous paid time off. The base salary range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

As an Equal Opportunity / Affrritive Action Employer, Independent Health and its affiliates will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship and immigration status, physical and mental disability, criminal record, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status with respect to receiving public assistance, domestic violence victim status, a disabled, special, recently separated, active duty wartime, campaign badge, Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.