Senior Scheduler

Senior Scheduler

Mercy Hospital St. Louis is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and patient-focused Senior Scheduler to join our Women's Health team at the Sunset Hills Clinic. This key role serves as a central coordinator for patient care by managing surgery and procedure scheduling, insurance verification, prior authorizations, referrals, and financial clearance activities.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates exceptional customer service skills, and is committed to ensuring a seamless experience for patients, providers, and clinical teams.

The Senior Scheduler is responsible for coordinating all aspects of patient scheduling and financial clearance, including surgeries, procedures, diagnostic testing, referrals, and specialty appointments. This role works closely with physicians, hospitals, insurance carriers, and patients to ensure all required authorizations, referrals, and documentation are obtained prior to services being rendered.

Additionally, this position serves as a resource for insurance, scheduling, and billing processes while maintaining accurate documentation within the Epic electronic medical record system. All duties are performed in accordance with Mercy's Mission, Values, and Service Standards.

Surgery & Procedure Scheduling

• Coordinate and schedule surgeries, procedures, diagnostic testing, and specialty appointments according to physician requirements, facility availability, and insurance guidelines.
• Manage provider schedules to optimize utilization, minimize scheduling gaps, and efficiently coordinate urgent, same-day, and follow-up appointments.
• Ensure seamless coordination of care by arranging referrals, imaging studies, laboratory appointments, and follow-up visits.
• Communicate scheduling details and preparation instructions to patients and families.

Insurance Verification & Financial Clearance

• Verify patient insurance benefits and eligibility for office visits, procedures, surgeries, and diagnostic services.
• Obtain and document required pre-certifications, prior authorizations, referrals, and pre-determinations.
• Collaborate with insurance carriers, hospitals, and surgical facilities to secure approvals before services are scheduled.
• Communicate benefit information, authorization status, and estimated patient financial responsibility, including Good Faith Estimates, when applicable.
• Assist in identifying patients who may benefit from financial assistance programs.

Patient & Provider Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for patients regarding scheduling, authorization status, insurance questions, and procedure preparation.
• Provide excellent customer service through compassionate, professional communication.
• Act as a resource to providers and clinic staff regarding scheduling, insurance requirements, and billing processes.
• Partner with Mercy billing services to resolve patient inquiries and concerns.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and complete documentation in Epic for all scheduling, authorizations, referrals, benefits verification, and financial arrangements.
• Track and monitor approval status to ensure services are not scheduled without required authorizations or referrals.
• Document relevant lab results, diagnostic testing, insurance coverage, and patient communications.
• Complete administrative forms, including FMLA, disability, and other patient-related documentation.

Additional Responsibilities

• Answer and manage incoming phone calls as needed.
• Support front-office operations and clinic workflows.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.

Required Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of medical office, scheduling, insurance verification, or healthcare customer service experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Proficiency with computers, typing, Microsoft Office applications, and electronic documentation.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, complex healthcare environment.
• Professional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with patients, providers, insurance representatives, and colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of combined experience in surgery scheduling, prior authorization, referral management, and insurance verification.
• Knowledge of ICD-10 coding, insurance processes, and self-pay collections.
• Experience using Epic EMR/Revenue Cycle systems.
• Women's Health or specialty clinic scheduling experience preferred.

Why Mercy?

At Mercy, we believe healthcare is more than a career—it's a calling. As a Senior Scheduler, you'll play an essential role in helping patients navigate their healthcare journey while supporting providers in delivering exceptional care. Join a team dedicated to compassion, excellence, innovation, and service.

Apply today and help bring Mercy's healing ministry to life for every patient we serve.