Spokane7
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December 6, 2011 in City
Providence to add 250 billing jobs in Spokane
Providence Health & Services is moving 250 medical billing jobs to Spokane from its headquarters in Renton.
It’s the largest influx of new jobs by a single employer in recent memory, said Rich Hadley, chief executive of Greater Spokane Incorporated. He said the move would add a $30 million economic punch to the region.
“It’s a gift when we really need it,” Hadley said, providing a boost in jobs at time when unemployment locally sits at 8.3 percent.
The jobs to be filled range from clerks to executives, Providence said.
Mike Wilson, interim chief executive of Providence Health Care, which operates Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, said the move is expected to begin within 60 days. Providence is searching for office space.
The jobs are responsible for insurance billing, medical record management, collections, patient scheduling referrals and overseeing Providence’s charity care program.
“Selecting Spokane as a business hub for a five-state system of health care providers is a huge investment by Providence, and will provide a great economic benefit to our community,” Wilson Tuesday afternoon.
Providence is one of the largest health care organizations in the West, operating a network of Catholic hospitals, clinics, adult care homes, laboratory services and other medical business in Washington, Oregon, California, Montana and Alaska.
The organization’s influence in the Pacific Northwest can be traced to 1856, when Mother Joseph arrived in what was then the Oregon Territory.
Having the organization expand its Spokane presence is a natural fit, Wilson said.
Within health care, finance and information technology jobs are growing in numbers, complexity and pay.
The collection of college health care programs ensures that Spokane has a pool of qualified workers and opportunities for further educational training.
“That’s a big part of why the Providence board looked to Spokane,” said Providence spokeswoman Sharon Fairchild.
Providence is undergoing changes in Spokane. Construction crews are at work on an $18.6 million expansion of Sacred Heart’s emergency room.
Executives have also expanded the organization’s roster of employed physicians and specialists.
Meanwhile, the hospital has extended voluntary layoff offers to its 8,500 regional employees. Providence is attempting to trim staff and other expenses to offset what it anticipates will be a $61 million budget shortfall for next year.
It’s all part of a balancing act for the region’s largest private employer as it attempts to search out savings and brace for changes brought about by federal health care reforms and reduced state spending on patient care.
Parishes giving $1.5 million toward settling sex cases 
Jethro_toll on December 06 at 4:55 p.m.
I better grab me one of those $120,000 a year jobs. Pity the poor slobs in Seattle whom just got their jobs displaced.
misjustice on December 06 at 5:22 p.m.
I welcome the jobs but hafta wonder if the jobs are coming here because the company won’t have to pay as much in wages and benefits as they do in the Renton area?
DickAdams on December 06 at 6:29 p.m.
I welcome the jobs as well, MisJ, but have the same concerns as you do.
zelda on December 06 at 6:51 p.m.
They may be moving the jobs, but not the people. Usually a company will predict a certain “take rate” for a move like this and assume that X percent can’t or won’t move so the balance has to be hired locally. It’s not like people in Renton can sell their houses at the drop of a hat and maybe Providence isn’t offering relocation services. Guess we’ll have to read the Seattle Times or what’s left of the PI to get the other side of the story.
Whatever they say about the skill set of Spokane workers, it’s being done to reduce costs. All the other factors are peripheral.
It speaks to the local pay rate that Spokane is getting jobs that typically are outsourced to India. Processing centers and call centers — that’s the future, folks.
westerly on December 06 at 9:25 p.m.
Who knows, most new companies coming to Spokane say ” we pay competitive wages”. This usually means, here, the prevailing wage…not what they pay in King county..which the average median income is $67,000 per family. But this beats the part time low wages fast food chains pay….oh…. over $9 an hour for minimum wage in Wa next Jan? maybe not.
lewis8457 on December 06 at 10:19 p.m.
this after they just sent every employee a letter offering early retirement to cut its labor force.
instead of offering retirement cut them all down to 9 bucks an hour after they quit they forsake the retirement plan. see i am thinking like a democrat already.
Dazzeetrader11 on December 06 at 11:51 p.m.
Why bother having a billing dept when Obama will pay for everything!!!
Yes Lewis..sinful…kinda makes you feel dirty doesn’t it? Kidding.
AngelC on December 07 at 1:41 p.m.
I work for Providence in Renton. Yes, I do feel that Spokane was chosen because the wages there are less than the wages in Renton. I understand that the unemployment rate will go down in that area, but then the rate here will go up. All of the employees here have done such an AWESOME job. They are definitely losing GREAT employees. Supposedly, we have 18 months untl the big move.
To Jethro_toll..pity the poor slobs? Your ignorance can be displayed on something that you actually KNOW about. I feel sorry for your ignorance.
It’s a sad topic that I would never wish on anyone. Jobs may have been replaced, but it’s the people we work with that makes it even harder; they’re family. We have to look at the brighter side of things right now.
All I know is that Jesus Christ is Lord. & as His child, He has our back. AMEN!
employee on December 07 at 3:07 p.m.
This message is to jethro_tell. Before you post a comment on a web page like this please in the future get you information correct. You are on the low side of what our income is here in Seattle.
mkh2355 on December 14 at 8:12 p.m.
Wonder if this is a trend for other Providence billing offices, as I work for one as well? Hopefully they give us notice…the unknown is defiantly scary.