Front Desk Specialist - Behavioral Health

About this role

We are looking for a dedicated, Behavioral Health Intake Specialist to join our compassionate administrative team. In this role, you will serve as the initial point of contact for individuals seeking mental health and therapy services. The ideal candidate brings an empathetic phone demeanor, excellent active listening skills, and strong attention to detail to guide patients through scheduling, intake screenings, insurance verification, and prior authorizations with care and confidentiality.
Key Responsibilities:

• Handle inbound calls and execute proactive outbound outreach for patient scheduling, appointment reminders, and follow-ups.

• Conduct initial patient intake screenings, capturing demographic information and preliminary history with sensitivity and confidentiality.

• Process prior authorization requests for medications and psychological services.

• Perform real-time insurance eligibility verifications to confirm active coverage, co-pays, deductibles, and behavioral health benefits.

• Maintain clear, organized patient charts and update administrative documentation in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.

• Deliver an empathetic, reassuring customer service experience when communicating with patients experiencing mental health challenges.

Requirements
Specialty Background: Prior administrative, intake, or care coordination experience in Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Psychiatry, or Therapy practices required.
Prior Authorizations: Hands-on experience submitting and tracking prior authorizations through clinical and insurance portals (e.g., CoverMyMeds, payer sites).
Insurance Verification: Proven track record verifying commercial and public insurance benefits.
Communication Skills: Excellent, clear verbal and written English communication skills with a compassionate phone presence.
Tech Skills: Proficient with EMR/EHR platforms, VOIP softphone systems (e.g., RingCentral), and web-based administrative tools.
Please note that this is a full-time contractor position (40 hours per week) with a starting pay rate of $6 per hour depending on skillset and experience. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 - 5 Monday to Friday PST.
Originally posted on Himalayas