A Registrar or Patient Service Representative provides direct assistance to patients at a health care or long term care facility. Answers questions and helps resolve complaints; provides liaison with health care providers; may assist with coordinating appointments or addressing billing or insurance issues.
Under the general direction of the Clinic Manager and in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines, as well as organizational and departmental policies and procedures, the Patient Financial Advisor/Registrar is responsible for the accurate and efficient registration of patients receiving outpatient services. This position ensures that patient demographic and insurance information is verified and documented accurately, assists with patient financial counseling, accepts payments, and performs assigned administrative functions in support of the Revenue Cycle. The Patient Financial Advisor/Registrar educates patients regarding insurance benefits and financial responsibilities, verifies insurance eligibility, calculates and collects estimated patient liabilities, and provides exceptional customer service to patients, families, physicians' offices, and staff. This position also supports revenue cycle operations through billing-related functions, payment posting, account maintenance, and other duties assigned by the Clinic Manager. This role requires accuracy, attention to detail, excellent communication skills, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced outpatient environment.
Requirements:
Duties:
Register all patients presenting for outpatient services, including scheduled and walk-in appointments, ensuring accurate and complete demographic, insurance, guarantor, and financial information. Verify insurance eligibility, benefits, prior authorizations, medical necessity, and other payer requirements before services are rendered. Accurately enter and maintain patient information in the electronic health record (EHR) and registration systems, ensuring all required consents, authorizations, signatures, and documentation are completed and appropriately filed. Communicate patient arrival and registration completion to outpatient departments to facilitate timely service delivery. Educate patients on insurance coverage, estimated financial responsibility, payment options, and organizational financial policies before or at the time of service. Calculate, collect, post, and reconcile patient payments, including copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, self-pay deposits, and outstanding balances, in accordance with department procedures. Contact scheduled patients as needed to verify insurance, review financial responsibility, and document payment arrangements prior to appointments. Assist uninsured and underinsured patients by providing information on financial assistance programs, including Charity Care, Indigent Care, Medicaid screening, and other available resources. Respond professionally to patient inquiries regarding registration, insurance, billing, estimates, account balances, and payment options while delivering exceptional customer service. Perform revenue cycle support functions, including payment posting, billing edits, account adjustments, insurance updates, charge review, claim follow-up, and correction of registration errors to promote accurate reimbursement. Support front desk operations, scheduling, reception, telephone coverage, and other patient access activities as needed. Maintain compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, infection prevention standards, hospital policies, and all applicable regulatory requirements. Participate in quality improvement initiatives, maintain current knowledge of registration, insurance, and revenue cycle best practices, and contribute to a collaborative, patient-centered work environment. Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of training and responsibility.
Requirements Minimum Level of Education:
High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Licensure, Certification, Registration:
Completion of Hometown Health Certifications within 90 days of hire; renew annually.
Work Experience:
Minimum of one (1) year of experience in patient registration, insurance verification, patient access, billing, collections, or other revenue cycle functions preferred. Knowledge of insurance benefits, eligibility verification, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and prior authorization processes required. Experience in outpatient registration, scheduling, financial counseling, or patient access preferred. Experience using electronic health record (EHR) and patient registration systems preferred.
