Financial Advocate

What You Can Expect:

Our Financial Advocates love Grand Itasca for the stability, meaningful work and our great team. Grand Itasca is in the business of selecting employees that make the real difference, who go above and beyond to make our hospital/clinic run and work effectively. Are you someone looking to make a difference in the everyday functions of our hospital & clinic life? If so, Grand Itasca is where you belong!

We're glad you are thinking about joining us:

Grand Itasca is a great place for Financial Advocates. We're a non-profit organization with a clear vision of being the leader in transforming rural health care by achieving the highest levels of quality, access, and value. Our strength stems from teamwork and collaboration among a talented and diverse group of professionals. With over 700 employees in hundreds of different roles, Grand Itasca can offer a variety of career opportunities.

Let's talk about benefits:

• Competitive pay
• Tuition reimbursement and scholarship/grant opportunities
• Health, dental, vision, & life insurance kick in on the first of the month after 30 days of employment
• Generous paid time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance
• STDB (short term disability bank)
• 401K with employer contributions
• Experience Pay Given
• Employee Referral Program
• On-the-Job training
• No Weekends!

About the Position:

• Financial Advocate
• Full-Time 1.0 FTE (80 hours per pay period)
• Days
• On-site at Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital Pro Building in Grand Rapids
• INTERNAL POSTING THROUGH: 08/17/2026

Job Summary:

This position will represent Grand Itasca's Business Services Department for patients with billing questions or concerns across all locations. The individual will serve as the primary contact for patients, providing guidance on the financial assistance and payment options available to them.

The Financial Advocate (FA) will possess in-depth working knowledge of registration, hospital billing, and clinic billing functions necessary to resolve account-related issues and patient concerns. They will also be well versed in collection practices, have a thorough understanding of Attorney General requirements, and be able to liaise with bad debt vendors as needed.

Financial Advocates will assist patients with insurance applications through MNsure and other applicable agencies, as necessary, and will provide follow-up support throughout the application process.

JOB DUTIES:

1. Assist patients with billing questions and concerns for all locations.
2. Serve as the primary point of contact for insurance benefit verification and eligibility checks.
3. Develop and provide cost estimates to patients upon request.
4. Assess patient needs for financial counseling, explain available resources, and assist patients with completing the necessary processes.
5. Coordinate and assist patients with Charity Care and all applicable financial assistance programs and policies.
6. Coordinate and assist patients in establishing affordable payment plans.
7. Work directly with external agencies regarding patient accounts, including bankruptcies, probate matters, collection agencies, and legal inquiries related to billing.
8. Assist with obtaining authorizations, referrals, and other requirements necessary to support patient claims processing.
9. Process patient refunds in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
10. Assist patients with insurance applications through MNsure and other applicable agencies, including follow-up and application completion as needed.
11. Attend required meetings, workshops, seminars, and training programs to maintain current knowledge and support professional growth and development.
12. Participate on committees and workgroups as assigned or requested.
13. Perform other duties as assigned.
14. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

If you have these qualifications, we'd love to chat:

1. One plus year’s work experience in hospital and clinic insurance billing and follow up or equivalent.
2. Two plus years’ work experience in financial counseling, financial advocacy, or care coordination, preferred.
3. MNsure Certification- Must become a MNsure Assister during first MNsure certification after hire date.

1. Comprehensive knowledge of third-party payers, policies, and regulations.
2. Solid understanding of medical collections practices, including fee schedules and contracts.
3. Experience in business/professional written and verbal communication.
4. Exceptional custom relations skills.
5. Basic level of computer knowledge with experience in Microsoft Office (Word & Excel).
6. Maintains reliable and consistent attendance.
7. Demonstrated ability to follow and adhere to Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital policies, vision, mission and values.

** If no candidates meet the above requirements, consideration will be given to those with five (5) years of Patient Access experience.

About Grand Itasca:

Grand Itasca brings the benefits of a large and respected health system to our local community. We are a non-profit, state-of-the-art, integrated clinic and hospital that is proud to offer a range of high-quality providers, specialties and services to our community. Enjoy our patient-centered, comprehensive approach, close to home without venturing from the beauty of northern Minnesota.

Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, PTO, a short-term disability bank, retirement,tuition reimbursement, early access to earned wages and more. Employees also have access to voluntary insurance options, and resources to support their financial and personal well-being. For additional information, please follow this link: https://www.granditasca.org/benefits/AFSCME-C

The posted compensation range corresponds to the minimum and maximum pay rates outlined in your union agreement for the respective job classifications at the time of job posting. An individual's pay rate within this range may be influenced by qualifying experience as specified in the contract. If your role is eligible for a sign-on bonus, the bonus program that is approved and in place at the time of offer, is what will be honored.