Michelle Thorson
Patient Finance Manager
Professional Overview
Michelle Thorson is an experienced healthcare finance professional with a strong background in patient financial services. As the Patient Finance Manager at Rusk County Memorial Hospital, she oversees all aspects of patient billing, collections, and revenue cycle management. With over a decade of industry expertise, Michelle has developed specialized knowledge in healthcare compliance, financial reporting, and patient advocacy.
Experience Summary
Current Role
In her role as Patient Finance Manager, Michelle is responsible for managing a team of financial specialists and ensuring the timely and accurate processing of patient accounts. She works closely with clinical staff to improve the patient experience and optimize financial outcomes for the hospital. Under her leadership, the patient finance department has achieved notable improvements in cash collections, bad debt reduction, and customer satisfaction.
Career Progression
Prior to her current position, Michelle served as the Director of Patient Financial Services at Rusk County Memorial Hospital, where she played a pivotal role in implementing revenue cycle process improvements and enhancing the hospital's financial performance. She has also held various patient finance and revenue cycle management roles at other healthcare organizations, contributing to her well-rounded understanding of the industry.
Academic Background
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) and maintains active memberships with the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM).
Areas of Expertise
- Patient billing and collections
- Revenue cycle management
- Healthcare compliance and regulations
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Process improvement and optimization
- Team leadership and mentorship
Professional Impact
Under Michelle's leadership, the patient finance department at Rusk County Memorial Hospital has achieved significant improvements in key performance metrics, including a 20% reduction in bad debt and a 15% increase in cash collections. She has also spearheaded the implementation of a new patient financial assistance program, which has helped the hospital enhance its community outreach and support for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Conclusion
With her extensive expertise in healthcare finance and proven track record of driving operational excellence, Michelle Thorson is a valuable asset to Rusk County Memorial Hospital. Her dedication to improving the patient experience and optimizing financial outcomes makes her a respected leader in the industry.
