Authorization Coordinator

Cascadia Health; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Medical and Dental Coverage

Retirement Plan

FSA

Life Insurance

Wellness Benefits

Job summary

Cascadia Health in Portland, OR is seeking an Authorization Coordinator to support trauma-informed care. The role processes service authorizations and reauthorizations for residential and outpatient programs, assists with denials appeals, and ensures accurate documentation across EMR and billing systems, supporting financial integrity and service quality.

Working at multiple Cascadia sites with standard business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., you will collaborate with clinicians and

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required; QMHA preferred.
• Two years’ experience in administrative coordination, preferably in healthcare.
• Proficiency in Word processing, Excel, and database applications. Strong data entry, typing 50 wpm, and verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to travel to various Cascadia sites as needed.

Responsibilities

• Submit and track service authorizations and reauthorizations for clients in residential and outpatient programs.
• Work with leadership and clinicians to obtain necessary information and complete the denial appeal process.
• Regularly review insurance systems to monitor activity, address denials, and correct service documentation errors.
• Verify insurance details, update Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and maintain accuracy in client records.
• Complete annual audits and maintain financial records compliance.
• Collaborate with other departments to support Cascadia’s mission, vision, and values.
• Serve as the point of contact for self-pay functions, adjudicating applications, tracking balances, and reconciling accounts.
• Assist clients with insurance applications and support Oregon Health Plan enrollments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Word processing

Excel

Data entry

Typing 50 wpm

Education

High school diploma

QMHA preferred

Tools

EMR systems

Insurance systems

Job description

Authorization Coordinator Job Overview

Location/Schedule:

This position is located at the Hope Center located in SE Portland, OR. The schedule is Monday through Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Position: Authorization Coordinator Program: Enhanced Care Services

Cascadia's Mission and Vision:

Mission: Cascadia Health delivers whole health care – integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing – to promote hope and support the well‑being of the communities we serve.

Vision: We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well‑being, and has a self-directed, connected life.

Position Description:

The Authorization Coordinator provides administrative support essential to Cascadia Health’s trauma-informed approach. This position completes and submits service authorization and reauthorization requests for clients, appeals denials, and assists in correcting service documentation errors to prevent revenue loss. Working in collaboration with multiple departments, the Authorization Coordinator ensures that service utilization documentation aligns with Cascadia’s mission and supports the financial integrity of the organization.

Essential Responsibilities

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities or an all inclusive job description.

• Submit and track service authorizations and reauthorizations for clients in residential and outpatient programs.
• Work with leadership and clinicians to obtain necessary information and complete the denial appeal process.
• Regularly review insurance systems to monitor activity, address denials, and correct service documentation errors.
• Verify insurance details, update Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and maintain accuracy in client records.
• Complete annual audits and maintain financial records compliance.
• Collaborate with other departments to support Cascadia’s mission, vision, and values.
• Serve as the point of contact for self-pay functions, adjudicating applications, tracking balances, and reconciling accounts.
• Assist clients with insurance applications and support Oregon Health Plan enrollments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required; a QMHA (Qualified Mental Health Associate) preferred.
• Experience: Two years’ experience in administrative coordination, preferably in healthcare.
• Specialized Skills and Knowledge: Proficiency in Word processing, Excel, and database applications. Strong data entry, typing (50 wpm), and verbal/written communication skills. Ability to travel to various Cascadia sites as needed.
• Other: Ability to commute to various Cascadia sites and/or locations as required.

Working Conditions

Work is performed at multiple Cascadia sites, however the primary assigned site is an essential location for many of the organizational communications and duties. The nature of the work dictates that the Residential Authorization Coordinator is flexible and able to move from site to site as need arise. Work hours are typically standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Daily routines may be hectic; meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption.

Mental Demands:

The work assigned is diverse and involves facing new and unusual circumstances where clinical and administrative outcomes could have negative effects on employee morale and/or client services. The work requires the incumbent’s strong organization of time and resources to ensure that tasks are managed in an effective and proactive manner. Time management skills are important to handle program changes, responding to crises, regular interruptions, and the like.

Physical Demands:

A typical work day consists of sitting at a desk and utilizing computers and other office equipment.

Benefits

We offer generous benefits for our full-time and part-time employees (20 hours + pro-rated) including:

• Generous Paid Time Off Package - Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year!
• Medical and Dental Coverage (begins 1st of the month following hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(b) Retirement Plan - Eligible after 60 days with immediate 100% vesting and a 1-to-1 company match up to 3% per pay period, plus the opportunity for an additional discretionary contribution (up to 5%) at the end of the fiscal year.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Medical, dependent care, and transportation options)
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance Paid
• Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave
• Length of Service Award
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Student loan forgiveness options
• Wellness Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Bike to Work Reimbursement Discounted Fitness Memberships Trauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

$23.57 - $24.37

Cascadia Health is Oregon’s largest community-based behavioral health and substance use treatment services organization. As both a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Cascadia provides integrated mental health, substance use treatment primary care, housing support, crisis intervention, peers wellness, skills training, and more to individuals and families. Our clients can find the care they need through one team and often in one location, regardless of their ability to pay.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 503.963.7654.