PRIOR AUTHORIZATION AND REFERRAL SPECIALIST

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Edinburg (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is seeking a Prior Authorization and Referral Specialist in Edinburg, TX. The role focuses on obtaining and processing authorizations and referrals to ensure services are validated and correctly billed.

Responsibilities include researching benefits, verifying eligibility, and coordinating with providers and payors. Strong computer skills and attention to detail are required.

Qualifications

• Performs prior authorizations and referrals before services.
• Researches patient benefits, coverages, and limitations to obtain authorizations.
• Verifies member eligibility and benefits via provider portals or contact channels.
• Communicates with patients to educate on limitations and coverage requirements.
• Coordinates with health plans for authorizations and referrals as needed.

Responsibilities

• Processes prior authorizations and referrals in a timely manner.
• Researches member benefits and coverage to obtain necessary authorizations.
• Obtains referrals from providers and health plans for services.
• Verifies eligibility and benefits and enters information into EMR for tracking.
• Communicates with plans, payors, and staff to resolve authorization issues.

Skills

Prior authorizations

Referral processing

Benefits research

Eligibility verification

Patient communication

EMR knowledge

Tools

EMR systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Office Location
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
1201 W. University Drive
Human Resources
MASS Building 2 nd Floor
Edinburg, TX 78539

Edinburg: [phone]
Brownsville: [phone]
Office hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Faculty Recruitment:
College of Engineering & Computer Science: [e-mail]

Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship: [e-mail]

PRIOR AUTHORIZATION AND REFERRAL SPECIALIST

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Dear Applicant, Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following: *Date of Birth *Social Security Number *Gender *Ethnicity/Race Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [phone] and/or [e-mail].

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number SRGV9089

Working Title

Working Title PRIOR AUTHORIZATION AND REFERRAL SPECIALIST

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Location

Location Edinburg, Texas

Department

Department School of Medicine/ Revenue Cycle

FTE

FTE 1.0

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Scope of Job

Responsible for obtaining and processing all prior authorizations and referrals and entering the completed referral into the electronic medical record system for claims adjudication to ensure services are validated.

Description of Duties

• Processes prior authorizations and referral requests in a timely manner, prior to the patients’ services being rendered.
• Responsible for researching patient member benefits, additional coverages, coverage limitations, and general coverage allowances to obtain the necessary authorizations and referrals for patient services.
• Obtains and receives referral requests from providers and health plans related to services for patient visits and procedures.
• Verifies member eligibility and benefits via the health plan provider online portals or health plan provider eligibility services via fax or phone and enters the information into the EMR system accurately for authorization tracking.
• Notifies the necessary parties within the required timeframe for routine and urgent requests for services.
• Communicates with patients to effectively educate them on any limitations or additional services that may require contact with their insurance carrier to ensure coverage.
• Communicates with providers, physicians, and other medical personnel regarding necessary documentation, CPT codes, diagnoses codes, or other information required to obtain the necessary authorizations or referrals.
• Communicates with patient service representatives to obtain or correct patient demographics as needed.
• Communicates authorization information and coverage to appropriate departmental staff in a timely manner.
• Communicates effectively with health plans, payor representatives, and network and claims department staff to resolve complex authorization issues.
• Coordinates with health plans and payor representatives for outpatient, inpatient, DME discharge planners, home health providers, and other services as needed when applicable.
• Is a source of knowledge for primary care providers regarding specialist referrals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

General supervision from assigned supervisor.

Supervision Given

Direct supervision of assigned staff.

Required Education

Preferred Education

None

Licenses/Certifications

None

Required Experience

One (1) year of experience processing prior authorizations and referrals in a medical setting. Knowledge of interpreting commercial insurance coverages to include: Medicaid and Medicare.

Preferred Experience

Equipment

Use of standard office equipment including knowledge of Microsoft Office and previous use of EMR (Electronica medical record systems).

Working Conditions

Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Office/Clinic Environment; some travel and weekend work is required. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which requires presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Other

Exceptional computer skills and experience are required. The ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong organizational skills with attention to detail is necessary to ensure efficient and quality operations. Ability to interpret medical insurance coverages. Strong knowledge of insurance terminology.

Physical Capabilities

None.

Employment Category

Employment Category Full-Time

Minimum Salary

Minimum Salary Commensurate with Experience

Posted Salary Commensurate with Experience

Position Available Date

Position Available Date 08/17/2026

Grant Funded Position

Grant Funded Position No

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dear Applicant, Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following: *Date of Birth *Social Security Number *Gender *Ethnicity/Race Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [phone] and/or [e-mail].

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.
All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the VP of HR & Regulatory Affairs.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you now, or previously, employed by The University of Texas System or any of its institutions?
  • Yes - I currently am employed by the UT System or its institutions
  • Yes - I have previously been employed by the UT System or its institutions
  • No - I have never been employed by the UT System or its institutions
• Yes
• No
• * Please select your highest level of completed education.
  • 6th grade education
  • 10th grade education
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Associates Degree, Technical, or Trade School Degree/Certification or 60 Hours of College Hours
  • Bachelors Degree from an accredited university
  • Masters Degree from an accredited university
  • Ph. D. or other terminal degree from an accredited university
  • None of the above
• * Please provide the field of study for your education. (Open Ended Question)

• * Please indicate the number of years of work experience you have directly related to the position in which you are applying for:
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
  • 8 years
  • 9 years
  • 10 years
  • Over 10 years
• * Do you meet the minimum requirements for this position?
  • Yes
  • No