Patient Support Specialist - Georgetown (1.0 FTE)

Neighborcare Health•Seattle, WA

9h•$22 - $31

About The Position

The Medical Billing & Patient Support Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for patients with billing-related concerns. The role assists with medical billing inquiries, coordinates financial assistance options, and promotes transparency about healthcare costs, including costs charged by external providers to whom patients are referred. The specialist works directly with patients, guarantors, outside providers, and clinics to review financial responsibilities, set up Good Faith Estimates (GFEs), and explain payment plans and financial aid programs. The role also coordinates with referral facilities to help patients access charity care, discounts, and other support options, and assists patients in transitioning their Primary Care Provider (PCP) to Neighborcare Health when appropriate to reduce referral delays and streamline care coordination. The specialist follows established guidelines and policies while addressing billing concerns, advocating for financial relief opportunities, and contributing to Neighborcare Health’s mission, service commitments, guiding principles, and productivity goals. The position is listed as 1.0 FTE at the Georgetown location. It handles high-volume patient communication, including making and receiving up to 100 calls daily, and involves in-person and telephone contact with patients. The target wage range is $21.96 to $30.97 per hour; final offers are individually based on factors including skills, experience, location, qualifications, and work schedule.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Knowledge of Washington State collection laws.
Three years of medical and/or dental insurance benefits verification experience.
Three years of related work experience in collections.
Strict adherence to organizational policies and procedures and applicable regulatory guidelines.
Strong attention to detail when managing and documenting financial information, payments, and patient accounts.
Ability to interpret and explain insurance benefits and financial responsibilities to patients and clinical staff.
Effective, respectful communication with people from diverse racial, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Active listening skills to understand patient concerns and provide clear, accurate information.
Understanding of insurance contractual agreements and ability to guide patients through financial obligations.
Knowledge of billing, collections, and revenue cycle processes.
Familiarity with Managed Care, Medicare, and Medicaid guidelines, including requirements for claims, referrals, and financial assistance programs.
Ability to assist patients with transitioning their Primary Care Provider to Neighborcare Health.
Experience with financial assistance programs, including payment plans and access to charity care or discounts.
Problem-solving skills and ability to work with internal teams and external referral facilities to resolve billing issues.
Ability to draft well-structured, grammatically correct correspondence.
Conflict-resolution skills and ability to address billing concerns and disputes patiently and professionally.
Ability to explain complex billing information clearly to patients.

Nice To Haves

Three years of administrative experience in a medical facility, health insurance verification, customer service, call center, or a related area.
Associate degree in a health- or human-services-related field.

Responsibilities

Engage with patients to provide billing support, answer financial questions, and assist with collections activities.
Assist patients in setting up Good Faith Estimates (GFEs) and explain their financial obligations.
Work with clinic staff to resolve patient billing concerns and support a smooth payment process.
Communicate with patients in person and by phone about medical bills, payment options, and financial assistance programs.
Coordinate with referral facilities to help patients access charity care, discounts, or payment assistance for services outside Neighborcare Health.
Assist patients in updating their Primary Care Provider to Neighborcare Health to help minimize referral delays.
Receive and process patient payments, co-pays, and account balances, ensuring timely posting.
Set up and manage patient payment plans in accordance with Neighborcare Health’s financial assistance policies.
Collaborate with collection agencies to follow up on outstanding patient accounts and assist with inquiries.
Facilitate patient refunds when appropriate, following established protocols.
Manage write-offs for aged patient accounts in accordance with Neighborcare Health’s financial policies.
Assist with setting up prenatal agreements for uninsured obstetric patients and explain financial expectations.
Negotiate payment reimbursement plans with patients based on their financial situations.
Prescreen patients for potential eligibility for charity care, Medicaid, or other insurance plans.
Meet with patients in person to discuss billing concerns and establish payment plans and payment contracts.
Make and receive up to 100 daily calls regarding account balances, payment options, and billing inquiries.