Heather Weed
Financial Clearance Manager
Professional Overview
Heather Weed is a seasoned financial management professional with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. As the Financial Clearance Manager at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, she oversees all patient financial clearance processes, ensuring efficient revenue cycle management and optimal patient financial experience.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Financial Clearance Manager at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Heather is responsible for leading a team of financial clearance specialists in verifying patient insurance eligibility, obtaining pre-authorizations, and coordinating financial assistance programs. Under her management, the financial clearance department has achieved a 95% first-pass resolution rate, contributing to the hospital's strong financial performance and patient satisfaction.
Career Progression
Heather began her career at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in 2012 as a Financial Clearance/Pre Access Supervisor, where she demonstrated her expertise in streamlining financial processes and fostering a collaborative team environment. Her exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills led to her promotion to the Financial Clearance Manager role in 2018, where she has continued to drive innovative solutions and optimize the hospital's revenue cycle.
Academic Background
Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire, with a concentration in Finance. She has also completed various industry-specific certifications, including the Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) designation from the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).
Areas of Expertise
- Revenue cycle management
- Patient financial assistance program administration
- Insurance eligibility verification and pre-authorization coordination
- Financial process optimization and automation
- Team leadership and performance management
Professional Impact
Under Heather's leadership, the financial clearance department at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has achieved significant improvements, including a 20% reduction in denials and a 15% increase in patient collections. She has also played a key role in the implementation of a new patient financial assistance program, which has helped the hospital provide more comprehensive financial support to underserved patients.
Conclusion
Heather Weed is a dedicated and results-oriented financial management professional with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and enhancing the patient financial experience in the healthcare industry. Her strategic leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to continuous improvement position her as a valuable asset to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and the patients they serve.
