Lead AR Specialist

The Lead Accounts Receivable Specialist serves as the operational lead and subject matter expert for claims follow-up, denial management, collections, appeals, recoupments, and aging reduction activities. This position provides workflow coordination, staff support, quality oversight, and training while maintaining an individual AR workload. Responsibilities include managing high-priority AR inventories, assisting with payer escalations, improving reimbursement outcomes, reducing aging, protecting timely filing, identifying reimbursement opportunities, and supporting overall Accounts Receivable performance.

As part of Revenue Cycle succession planning and professional development, this position will eventually cross-train within other Revenue Cycle functions, including Prevention Cycle, Billing Submission, Cash Posting, Revenue Integrity, and Recovery Cycle after demonstrating proficiency in AR operations.

• Coordinate daily AR work queues and payer assignments.
• Research and resolve denied, unpaid, underpaid, and recouped claims.
• Assist staff with claim follow-up strategies and payer escalations.
• Monitor aging reports and prioritize high-risk accounts.
• Prepare appeals, reconsiderations, corrected claims, and dispute packages.
• Research reimbursement discrepancies and contractual variances.
• Support aging reduction efforts and collection activities.
• Identify denial trends, root causes, and process improvement opportunities.
• Assist with onboarding, staff development, and quality reviews.
• Support AR reporting, payer projects, and EHR optimization initiatives.
• Collaborate with Prevention Cycle, Billing Submission, Cash Posting, Revenue Integrity, and Recovery Cycle teams.

Minimum required education:
High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.

Minimum required experience:
Three (3) years healthcare revenue cycle experience. Two (2) years Accounts Receivable, denial management, collections, or claims follow-up experience.

Preferred Experience:

Five (5) years healthcare revenue cycle experience. Behavioral Health billing and collections experience. Experience with AHCCCS, Medicare, Commercial Insurance, Tribal Programs, PMPM, Case Rate, and Grant-funded reimbursement methodologies. Experience with denial management, payer appeals, aging reduction, and collections. Experience leading projects, training staff, or mentoring peers. Experience supporting EHR stabilization or workflow optimization initiatives.

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Valid AZ DPS Level I fingerprint clearance card (must maintain valid card throughout employment).