Payment Specialist

SUMMARY: The Payment Specialist is responsible for managing the end-to-end payment process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely disbursement of funds to external vendors and providers. This role exercises independent judgment in resolving complex payment issues, performs advanced analysis of payment trends, and leads process improvement initiatives. The Payment Specialist serves as a subject matter expert (SME) and key liaison across internal teams and external partners to enhance operational efficiency and payment accuracy.   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Prepare, audit, and generate complex payment files for submission to payment vendors in accordance with established schedules, client requirements, and regulatory guidelines Validate payment file accuracy through detailed review of payment data, provider information, offsets, adjustments, and reconciliation balancing Submit payment files through designated vendor platforms and ensure successful transmission, receipt, and processing Monitor payment submissions for rejections, exceptions, or error notifications and take immediate corrective action to prevent payment delays Perform detailed reconciliations between vendor platforms, internal systems, bank reporting, and payment batches to ensure financial accuracy and completeness Research, analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve payment file discrepancies, balancing issues, and processing errors in a timely manner Serve as a subject matter resource and liaison for provider payment release requests, escalated inquiries, and payment status investigations Process payment reissue, void, stop payment, recoupment, and offset requests in accordance with department procedures and compliance standards Create and validate client refund files for Accounting department processing and reconciliation Collaborate cross functionally with internal departments, external vendors, banking partners, and IT resources to resolve discrepancies, transmission failures, and file format issues Maintain detailed documentation and audit ready records of payment submissions, corrections, reconciliations, approvals, and outcomes Analyze payment activity trends and provide reporting related to payment accuracy, aging, rejection trends, reconciliation findings, and resolution timelines Identify operational risks, process inefficiencies, and recurring payment issues and recommend process improvements to enhance accuracy, reduce rework, and improve turnaround times Support revenue cycle operations through accurate and timely disbursement processing while ensuring adherence to client contractual obligations and departmental service levels Generate, analyze, and reconcile reports from Data Warehouse and applicable systems to identify Provider Accounts Payable due and outstanding payment activity Reconcile Jopari payment acknowledgement reports against payment batch files to identify invoices requiring voids, corrections, or internal reprocessing Generate Explanation of Reimbursement (EOR) documentation and coordinate distribution processes Manage and prioritize the AP queue for provider payment requests, escalations, research items, and inquiries while maintaining service expectations Generate and review outstanding AP reports with Manager, Revenue Management and assist in identifying trends, risks, and resolution strategies Assist with departmental audits, special projects, workflow enhancements, system testing, and implementation initiatives as assigned Provide support and training to team members regarding payment processing workflows, reconciliation procedures, and issue resolution processes Maintain confidentiality and safeguard sensitive financial, provider, and client information in compliance with company policies and regulatory standards Maintain reliable and predictable attendance during scheduled work hours. Utilizes AI tools to support day-to-day tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance output quality. Adopts new technologies as trained and applies them in alignment with established processes and guidelines. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:    Acute attention to detail Understanding of medical billing, short payments and denials Reconciliation between various systems Strong interpersonal skills Ability to communicate professionally and effectively on the phone, in person, electronically, or through other means to individuals and groups Ability to deal effectively with individuals at all organizational levels Proven ability to handle multiple projects while meeting deadlines Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos, and other documentation Commitment to excellence and high standards Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams and committees Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace: English Technical Capacity including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and familiarity with Microsoft Access