Admissions Coordinator - Hattiesburg

Merit Health Wesley; Hattiesburg (MS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Merit Health Wesley Admissions Coordinator II handles patient registration and financial clearance for hospital services, verifying insurance and obtaining authorizations to support accurate accounts and a positive patient experience.

This role requires organizing demographic and financial data, collaborating with physician offices and internal teams, and ensuring HIPAA compliance while maintaining high service standards.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in patient access or healthcare-related administrative role
• 2-4 years of experience with insurance verification and authorization

Responsibilities

• Reviews scheduled procedures and admissions to verify insurance eligibility, benefits, and authorization requirements.
• Collaborates with physician offices, insurance companies, and case management staff to secure prior authorizations and address financial clearance needs.
• Accurately collects and enters patient demographic, financial, and insurance information into the registration system while ensuring compliance with established procedures.
• Provides patients with written estimates of financial liability and addresses questions regarding coverage, costs, and payment options.
• Utilizes the registration scanning system to maintain accurate records and ensures documentation aligns with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Verifies insurance coverage and eligibility, initiating pre-certifications for commercial insurance as required.
• Assists with resolving registration-related issues and escalates complex problems to the manager when necessary.
• Collaborates with ESS, SSC, and other departments to financially secure patients and improve denial reduction processes.
• Supports Care Management and Medical Records in correcting patient account information as needed.
• Generates and maintains reports from the registration system to track registration accuracy, insurance verification, and denial trends.
• Greets patients, families, and staff with professionalism and respect, fostering a welcoming environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Skills

Insurance verification

Authorization processes

Customer service

Data entry

HIPAA compliance

Cross-department collaboration

Tools

Registration systems

Billing software

Job description

Why Join Us?

• Be Valued for What You Bring to the Team – Competitive pay that rewards your hard work
• Benefits You Can Count On – Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
• Work Hard. Recharge Often. – Generous PTO and extended illness benefits
• Invest in Your Future – 401(k) with company match
• Grow With Us – Career development, learning opportunities, and advancement pathways
• We Invest in Your Success – Licensure and certification reimbursement
• Student Loan Support – Assistance available for eligible roles
• Your Wins Deserve Recognition – Employee rewards and recognition programs
• A Team You'll Love Working With – A collaborative, purpose-driven culture making a difference every day
• Additional Voluntary Benefits – Choose from options such as pet insurance, identity protection, and legal insurance.

Great people. Great benefits. Meaningful work. Join us and make an impact!

No weekends, No holidays, No Call

Job Summary

The Admissions Coordinator II ensures accurate patient registration and financial clearance for hospital services by verifying insurance eligibility, securing authorizations, and collecting demographic and financial information. This role serves as a liaison between patients, physician offices, and internal departments, supporting account accuracy, denial prevention, and a positive patient experience.

Essential Functions

• Reviews scheduled procedures and recent admissions to verify insurance eligibility, benefits, and authorization requirements for all patient visits.
• Collaborates with physician offices, insurance companies, and case management staff to secure prior authorizations and address financial clearance needs.
• Accurately collects and enters patient demographic, financial, and insurance information into the registration system while ensuring compliance with established procedures.
• Provides patients with written estimates of financial liability and addresses questions regarding coverage, costs, and payment options.
• Utilizes the registration scanning system to maintain accurate records and ensures documentation aligns with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Verifies insurance coverage and eligibility, initiating pre-certifications for commercial insurance as required.
• Assists with resolving registration-related issues and escalates complex problems to the manager when necessary.
• Collaborates with Eligibility Screening Services (ESS), Shared Service Center (SSC), and other departments to financially secure patients and improve denial reduction processes.
• Supports the Care Management and Medical Records departments in correcting patient account information as needed.
• Generates and maintains reports from the registration system to track registration accuracy, insurance verification, and denial trends.
• Greets patients, families, and staff with professionalism and respect, fostering a welcoming environment for all visitors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in patient access, registration, or healthcare-related administrative role required and
• 2-4 years of experience with insurance verification and authorization required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of insurance verification, eligibility, and prior authorization processes.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills to interact with patients, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using registration and billing systems, as well as other healthcare-related software.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and documentation.
• Understanding of patient privacy and confidentiality regulations (e.g., HIPAA compliance).
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments to ensure efficient patient access and financial clearance.

Licenses and Certifications

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) issued by the American Heart Association BLS obtained within 90 days of hire date required

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for an employer.