Collections Specialist Level 1

Description

SEIU Healthcare IL Benefit Funds is a dynamic benefits administration organization committed to providing the highest quality health and retirement benefits in the most financially responsible manner, while always acting in the best interest of the union members. The Fund serves over 20,000 union workers in the Nursing Home, Home Care, Child Care, and Personal Assistant industries with the delivery of health and pension benefits. Our employees epitomize the Fund’s core values of quality service, interdependence, effectiveness, and accountability, and forge an alliance with one another to carry out our shared mission and common agreements for those we serve. 

Position Summary:

The Contributions & Eligibility (C&E) Collections Specialist, Level 1 is responsible for supporting the work of the C&E Department with oversight from the C&E Supervisor. 

This position’s tasks and responsibilities are dynamic and multifaceted. 

The Collections Specialist, Level 1 will need to effectively support the Contribution and Eligibility Department in accomplishing its objectives to collect all required contributions in accordance with participation guidelines and collection policies. Professional communication with both external and internal stakeholders and providing excellent customer service is vital for this role. 

The Collections Specialist, Level 1 will be responsible for the following: 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Generate and distribute NH delinquency and discrepancy letters, late fee notices, and scanning NH health and welfare bills into the appropriate network drives.
• Contact Employers with past due balances via phone, email, and mail. 
• Identify and track delinquent payment statuses and pursue collections.
• Negotiate payment plans and payment deadlines with Employers/Attorneys.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in basys ServiceXG. 
• Work closely with the Eligibility Assistant to ensure timely and accurate processing of payments.
• Handle Employers’ inquiries related to billing and payments.
• Revise Employers’ remittance as appropriate. 
• Educate employers regarding collection policies and procedures where appropriate.
• Review and analyze various accounts receivable reports.
• Report to Supervisor with weekly reports of amounts collected and updated receivables reports.
• Serve as back-up for the Employer Relations Specialist as it relates to delinquency follow-up and generating quality assurance letters.
• Collaborate with the other C&E team members to scan, image, organize and maintain documents, adhering to the organization's document lifecycle procedures, and archive or destroy inactive records in accordance with the document retention policy.
• Assist in the formulation of internal controls and policies.
• Attend and participate in various meetings, including monthly All Staff meetings, department meetings, training sessions, task force or committee meetings, and other meetings as deemed appropriate to share, discuss, and solution for question or error trends, as well as identify potential process improvements.
• Support C&E collection efforts by coordinating the activity related to the Nursing Home (NH) and Home Care (HC) 5-year Payroll Audit cycles, including updating the NH Payroll Audit Status Log, processing demand and dispute letters, and performing the required data entry for payroll audit findings.
• Assist with the maintenance of paper and electronic files related to audit documentation and progress.
• Back-up all duties of the Payroll Audit Specialist as needed.
• Create one-on-one (1:1) agendas with the Contribution and Eligibility Supervisor using the Purpose, Outcome and Process (POP) Model and thorough notes must be kept for each meeting.

Requirements

Privacy and Security Responsibilities:

This position requires employees to handle Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Health Information (PHI) for our members. You will be responsible and accountable for maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all PII and PHI. Report any suspected HIPAA violation or breach to our HIPAA Privacy and Security Officer.

Education Requirements:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Associate degree or higher in Accounting, Health Care, Business Administration, or the equivalent combination of education, work experience, certification, and/or training.

Job Requirements:

• Three to five (3-5) years of prior experience in collections or other business to business activity. 
• Experience with desktop computers, laptop computers, printers, copiers, scanners, fax and other office equipment
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Critical thinker that can interpret contract terms into policies
• Excellent interpersonal skills at all levels of business, including effectively communicating with peers, leads, managers, executives, and external partners
• Strong phone etiquette skills with active listening
• Strong analytical and research techniques to trend or quantify projects
• Must be well organized and detail oriented with demonstrated effective time-management
• Must have the ability to work independently and within a team environment
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Exercise clear and concise judgment
• Ability and willingness to assist in special projects and handle multiple tasks
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders

Preferred Skills:

• Taft-Hartley experience
• Team leader or some supervisory experience
• Hybrid workforce experience, with in-person and remote work expectations
• Experience with benefit administration systems, Basys/Bridgeway preferred
• Experience with project management software, such as Smartsheet
• Experience with virtual conference software (Teams and Zoom)
• Awareness of social movements, labor movements, and political issues that impact the work and the organization

Physical Demands:

• Ability to carry and lift a minimum of 30 lbs.
• Ability to present in front of groups, in-person or virtually
• Work schedule flexibility to meet project demands
• Travel to off-site locations as needed

Career Development & Continuing Education Opportunities: Yes

Benefits:

SEIU Healthcare IL Benefit Funds offers a comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental and vision coverage) for employees and eligible dependents, including no employee premium option for employee only; competitive compensation; generous holidays and PTO policies; and a pension retirement plan.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: SEIU Healthcare IL Benefit Funds is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The SEIU Healthcare IL Benefit Funds vision is to create a more just and equitable society that fosters a lifetime of quality healthcare and financial security for all. We hope that our social justice values and the responsibility we take to operate a socially conscious organization aligns with your professional desire to contribute and serve with purpose.

Salary : $22 - $32