Lead Patient Registration Specialist

Ridgeview Institute Smyrna•Smyrna, GA

5d•$26 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

As the Lead Patient Registration Specialist, you will be central to our commitment to exceptional patient care. The position involves engaging with patients and their families to confirm insurance benefits and eligibility for all admissions, serving as the primary liaison between the facility, insurance companies, and patients to address outstanding balances. Successful candidates will leverage their skills and knowledge to diligently pursue outstanding balances, ensuring timely and appropriate collections. The scope of this role encompasses self-pay collections for both Inpatient and Outpatient Services, requiring proficiency with managed care contracts, government intermediaries, and up-to-date knowledge of regulatory requirements for prompt and accurate reimbursement. Join us in this critical position, contributing to our mission of providing top-notch mental health services to the community. Serve as a resource and mentor for Patient Registration Specialists and assist with day-to-day workflow support. Assist leadership with onboarding and training of new team members. Help monitor work queues, patient accounts, and registration accuracy to ensure timely follow-up and resolution. Support escalated patient account concerns and assist with complex insurance or payment-related situations. Partner with leadership to identify workflow improvement opportunities and support departmental efficiency initiatives. Assist with auditing documentation, account accuracy, and compliance with departmental standards. Help ensure consistent communication and coordination between admissions, business office, and clinical teams. Meet with patients and their families to confirm insurance benefits and discuss/collect the patient's financial responsibility; determine financial eligibility. Coordinate and ensure the current and accurate patient account data is communicated effectively across departments. Navigate discharge planning to minimize non-payment risks, provide ongoing patient benefit information for the next level of care, and coordinate the finalization of financial arrangements. Assist patients facing hardships by obtaining necessary documentation, such as bankruptcy discharges, death certificates, hardship applications, Medicaid, and supporting documentation, utilizing Equifax reports to demonstrate the patient's inability to pay. Follow up diligently on all payment plans to ensure accounts are current with timely payments. Document benefits and received payments by notating patient accounts. Scan all signed documentation into patient accounts. Perform additional duties as assigned by management. In addition to core registration and financial counseling responsibilities, the Lead Patient Registration Specialist serves as a day-to-day resource for the team, helping support workflow coordination, training, problem-solving, and operational consistency within the Business Office. This role partners closely with leadership to help ensure accuracy, accountability, and a positive patient experience.

Requirements

High School graduate or equivalent required.
Experience interpreting insurance coverage plans, copayments, and deductible schedules; specifically, working knowledge of managed care, commercial, and governmental plans.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in patient registration, financial counseling, patient access, or healthcare revenue cycle operations required.
Must have basic knowledge of public assistance programs and required financial forms.
Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with a heavy focus on Excel.
Must be detail-oriented and possess basic mathematical and analytical skills to resolve financial issues.
Exhibit a positive demeanor and strong verbal and written communication skills, maintaining a professional appearance and approach.
Quickly learn the patient accounting MedHost software system and update Excel spreadsheets effectively.
Strong communication skills and a professional demeanor are essential.
Detail-oriented with effective time management skills to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Self-starter with a high degree of drive, initiative, forward-thinking, and follow-through.

Nice To Haves

College degree preferred.
Prior lead, mentoring, training, or supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Engage with patients and their families to confirm insurance benefits and eligibility for all admissions.
Serve as the primary liaison between the facility, insurance companies, and patients to address outstanding balances.
Diligently pursue outstanding balances, ensuring timely and appropriate collections.
Perform self-pay collections for both Inpatient and Outpatient Services.
Maintain proficiency with managed care contracts, government intermediaries, and up-to-date knowledge of regulatory requirements for prompt and accurate reimbursement.
Serve as a resource and mentor for Patient Registration Specialists and assist with day-to-day workflow support.
Assist leadership with onboarding and training of new team members.
Monitor work queues, patient accounts, and registration accuracy to ensure timely follow-up and resolution.
Support escalated patient account concerns and assist with complex insurance or payment-related situations.
Partner with leadership to identify workflow improvement opportunities and support departmental efficiency initiatives.
Assist with auditing documentation, account accuracy, and compliance with departmental standards.
Ensure consistent communication and coordination between admissions, business office, and clinical teams.
Meet with patients and their families to confirm insurance benefits and discuss/collect the patient's financial responsibility; determine financial eligibility.
Coordinate and ensure the current and accurate patient account data is communicated effectively across departments.
Navigate discharge planning to minimize non-payment risks, provide ongoing patient benefit information for the next level of care, and coordinate the finalization of financial arrangements.
Assist patients facing hardships by obtaining necessary documentation, such as bankruptcy discharges, death certificates, hardship applications, Medicaid, and supporting documentation, utilizing Equifax reports to demonstrate the patient's inability to pay.
Follow up diligently on all payment plans to ensure accounts are current with timely payments.
Document benefits and received payments by notating patient accounts.
Scan all signed documentation into patient accounts.
Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Benefits

401(k) + matching
Health insurance
100% company-paid life insurance coverage up to 2x your annual salary
Vision insurance
Dental Insurance
100% company-paid long-term disability insurance
Paid time off
Paid Holidays
Cafeteria on site
Employee engagement events
Employee assistance program
Employee recognition program
Free parking
Career & training development opportunities
Dynamic and inclusive work environment
Engaged management team dedicated to your success
A guiding mission and set of values that serve as both our north star and yours, anchoring our collective purpose and aspirations