Patient Account Specialist

Grande International Hospital; La Grande (OR); On-site; USD 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Account (FSA and HSA

401K Plan with Roth Options

401K 3% employer match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Employee Assistance Program

Discounts for meals and pharmacy items

Fitness Center access

Job summary

Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande, Oregon is seeking a Collections Specialist to manage follow-up and recovery of outstanding patient balances after initial billing. You will contact patients and third-party payers to secure payment, monitor accounts receivable, and document collection activities in the patient account system.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED and at least two years in medical collections or revenue cycle roles.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in medical collections, customer service, or revenue cycle preferred.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Review aged accounts receivable to identify delinquent or unpaid balances.
• Initiate and document patient outreach to follow up on overdue accounts.
• Answer incoming Patient Financial Services calls and route to the responsible party.
• Explain account balances, insurance adjustments, and payment options.
• Set up and monitor payment plans.
• Refer accounts to external collection agencies and ensure follow-up.
• Maintain documentation of all collection activities in the patient account system.
• Collaborate with Patient Financial Services to resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, hospital policies, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
• Identify and report trends in non-payment or denials to support process improvements.

Skills

Healthcare billing

Medical terminology

HIPAA compliance

Microsoft Office

EPIC

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

EPIC

MS Office

Job description

Job Category: Administrative Support Services

Requisition Number: PATIE002596

• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

• Pay or shift range: $19.61 USD to $27.02 USD
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

The Collections Specialist is responsible for the follow-up and recovery of outstanding patient balances after initial billing and financial counseling efforts have been completed. This position works primarily with delinquent or unresolved accounts, contacting patients and third-party payers to secure payment, clarify account issues, and support the hospital’s revenue cycle goals. Key responsibilities include monitoring accounts receivable, identifying overdue balances, contacting debtors, and documenting collection activities.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Two (2) years’ experience in medical collections, customer service, or revenue cycle preferred.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review aged accounts receivable reports to identify delinquent or unpaid balances.
• Initiate and document patient outreach via phone, mail, and electronic communication to follow up on overdue accounts.
• Answers incoming Patient Financial Services calls and disseminate to the responsible party.
• Explain account balances, insurance adjustments, and payment options to patients in a clear and compassionate manner.
• Set up and monitor payment plans in accordance with hospital policy.
• Refer accounts to external collection agencies when appropriate and ensure timely follow up.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation of all collection activities in the patient account system.
• Collaborates with Patient Financial Services and other revenue cycle staff to resolve account discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with hospital policies, HIPAA regulations, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
• Identify and report trends in non-payment or denials to support process improvements.
  Created: April 2025

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of healthcare billing processes and medical terminology.
• Understanding of insurance claim processes, EOBs, and patient account ledgers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Skilled in using computer software, including spreadsheets, word processing, and financial management applications.
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy in financial records and reports.
• Strong knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and EPIC.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Ability to occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds, such as files or office supplies.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret written materials on a computer screen or paper.
• Ability to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person or on telephone.
• Requires frequent use of the computer with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk.
• Must be able to perform the primary duties and responsibilities of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Compensation:

$19.61-$27.02 DOE

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA and Health Savings Account (HSA) Options
• 401K Plan with Roth Options
• 401K 3% employer match and a 2% base non-elective employer contribution
• Eligibility for company-paid benefits such as life insurance and long-term disability, subject to applicable waiting periods
• Option to elect Supplemental employee, spouse, and child life insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts: available for meals in the cafeteria and over-the-counter pharmacy items
• Exercise/Fitness Facility: access to the Rehab Therapy Fitness Center for the employee and dependents

Expectations for All Employees Support the organization’s mission, vision and values by adhering to thebehavioral standards of Grande Ronde Hospital. Comply with all laws and regulations affecting Grande Ronde Hospital.Be familiar with and adhere to the Personnel Policy Manual and the Code of Conduct and support the Grande Ronde Hospital Compliance Program. Effective communication skills and the ability work effectively with people from various backgrounds are critical.

Mission: Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics will ensure access to high quality, cost-effective health care in a safe and customer-friendly environment for all those in need of our services.

Vision: Quality health care is our mission. Patients are our passion.

Education

Required

High School or GED or better.

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.