Prior Authorization Coordinator

University Physicians' Association, Inc. (UPA); Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

PTO

401k with match

Job summary

University Physicians' Association, Inc. (UPA) is seeking an organized Prior Authorization Coordinator to act as a liaison between medical providers, insurers, and patients in Knoxville.

The role focuses on obtaining pre-authorization for procedures to ensure clinical necessity and coverage. Your day-to-day will include verifying patient eligibility, submitting authorization requests, tracking approvals, handling denials/appeals, and maintaining accurate authorization data in the EHR.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; associate or bachelor's degree preferred in healthcare administration or related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in medical billing, insurance verification, or clinical office setting.
• Proficiency in medical terminology, ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS.
• Experience using payer portals (Availity, CoverMyMeds) and EHR systems.

Responsibilities

• Insurance verification: confirm eligibility and benefit coverage, including co-pays and deductibles, before services.
• Prepare and submit authorization requests through payer portals, fax, or phone with required documentation and codes.
• Monitor pending requests and follow up with insurers to ensure timely approvals.
• Review denied authorizations and coordinate appeals with medical records and peer-to-peer reviews.
• Communicate with providers and patients about status and potential financial responsibilities.
• Enter and track authorization numbers and expiration dates in EHR/Practice Management systems.

Job description

The Prior Authorization Coordinator serves as a liaison between medical providers, insurance companies (payors), and patients. Their primary function is to secure approval from insurance carriers for medical procedures, medications, or treatments before they are administered, ensuring both clinical necessity and financial coverage. Location: Knoxville, TN – GI for Kids Job Type: Full-Time

Why You’ll Love This Role

• No nights, no weekends, no on-call
• Monday–Friday, standard business hours
• Office closed on major holidays
• Full benefits package (Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401k with match, and more!)

Core Responsibilities

• Insurance Verification: Confirming patient eligibility and benefit coverage details, including co-pays and deductibles, prior to services.
• Request Submission: Preparing and submitting detailed authorization requests through payer portals, fax, or phone, ensuring all required clinical documentation and diagnosis/procedure codes (ICD-10, CPT) are included.
• Status Tracking: Monitoring pending requests and following up with insurance companies to ensure timely approvals and prevent delays in patient care.
• Denial Management & Appeals: Reviewing reasons for denied authorizations and initiating the appeals process by gathering additional medical records or coordinating peer-to-peer reviews between physicians and insurance medical directors.
• Provider & Patient Communication: Updating clinical staff on authorization status and educating patients on their insurance requirements and potential financial responsibilities.
• Record Maintenance: Entering and updating authorization numbers and expiration dates into Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Practice Management systems for accurate billing.

Key Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Typically requires a High School Diploma or GED; however, many employers prefer an associate or bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or a related field.
• Experience: Most roles require 1–3 years of experience in medical billing, insurance verification, or a clinical office setting.
• Clinical Knowledge: Proficiency in medical terminology, anatomy, and standard coding (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS).
• Technical Skills: Expertise in using insurance portals (e.g., Availity, CoverMyMeds) and EHR systems.

Essential Skills

• Detail-Oriented: Precision in documenting clinical data to minimize the risk of claim denials.
• Time Management: Ability to prioritize urgent authorization requests, especially for time-sensitive treatments like oncology or surgery.
• Problem-Solving: Identifying missing information in medical charts and navigating complex, changing insurance policies.
• Communication: Professional verbal and written skills for negotiating with insurance adjusters and explaining complex processes to stressed patients.