Prior-Authorization Spec (BMG)

Beacon Health System; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Beacon Health System in Indiana is seeking a Prior Authorization Specialist who evaluates designated referred services for authorization needs and disseminates supporting documentation to ensure proper reimbursement. You will deliver empathetic, clear communication to patients, families, and associates about the next steps in care.

The role requires acting as the primary contact for PA, coordinating clinical documentation, verifying insurance requirements, and using multiple EMR and insurance

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Business or Health Care field and one year medical authorization or related experience; or, high school diploma or equivalent and three years medical authorization or related experience.
• Medical Assistant Program with Certification preferred.
• Medical terminology, ICD-10, CPT, prior authorizations, third party payors and prior authorization processes required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office: Outlook, Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for designated prior authorization needs.
• Identify, collect, and coordinate clinical documentation to support qualification of ordered services.
• Evaluate orders for insurance coverage and authorization requirements.
• Ensure carrier process requirements are met within contracted guidelines and timeliness.
• Ensure proper testing is done; utilize tools and guidelines for testing and authorization processes.
• Review and comply with additional requests and validate completed authorizations.
• Support the appeal process by coordinating resolution expectations with providers and authorization agents.
• Maintain standardized records for effective coordination, tracking and reporting of department actions.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Education

Associate's Degree in Business or Health Care

Medical Assistant Program

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

EMR systems

Referral databases

Insurance portals

Microsoft Office

Job description

Reports to the VP Patient Access responsibilities include evaluating designated referred services for authorization needs based on government and commercial payor requirements. Disseminating all clinical and coding supporting documentation to effectively complete the authorization process to ensure appropriate reimbursement. In addition, this position provides exceptional customer service during every encounter with patients, families, visitors and BMG associates by communicating with empathy and clarity regarding the details of the next step in care for the customer.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Prior Authorization Specialist duties in accordance with established policies and procedures by:

• Serving as primary contact and resource for all designated prior authorization needs.
• Identifying, collecting, and coordinating clinical documentation to support the qualification of ordered services
• Evaluating orders for insurance coverage and authorization requirements.
• Ensuring carrier process requirements are met within contracted guidelines and timeliness.
• Ensuring proper testing is done
• utilizing tools in accordance with the provider's desire and the testing
• criteria and guidelines including both insurance and modality ordering
• guidelines
• Reviewing and complying with additional requests.
• Validating completed authorizations to ensure the authorization corresponds with ordered service, code, time frame and provider.
• Supporting the appeal process by communicating and coordinating resolution expectations with provider and authorization agent.
• Maintaining standardized records to allow for effective coordinating, tracking and reporting of department actions and metrics.
• Advocating for the customer by displaying the ability to recognize when to dispute a non-desirable outcome regarding PA approval (prior authorization).
• Disputing and negotiating, when necessary, on behalf of BHS and the customer for a positive prior authorization outcome.
• Providing exceptional customer centric service during every encounter with patients, families, and associates.
• Using critical thinking skills to make decisions, identify problems, create solutions and helping to implement the change. Escalates concerns when necessary.
• Participating in performance improvement (i.e. follows established work systems, identifies deviations or deficiencies in standards/systems/processes and communicates problems to supervisor or manage
• Prioritizing work in an effective manner.
• Working at a fast pace and maintaining accuracy.
• Understanding the flow and
• rhythm of each task and can connect each resulting convenient, connected
• and coordinated care.
• Using numerous
• software platforms (multiple EMR's, insurance websites, referral database,
• scheduling software, etc.) to conduct tasks for patient care.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Assisting others and/or
• accept additional duties.
• Enhancing professional growth and development through in-service meetings and educational programs as approved
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and stays abreast of changes and updates as they occur. (Includes but not limited to, Insurance, Department and Processes changes.

Organizational Responsibilities

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR), and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated are normally acquired through the successful completion of an Associate's Degree in Business or Health Care related field and one year medical authorization or related experience; or, in lieu of a degree, completion of a high school diploma or equivalent and three years medical authorization or related experience. Successful completion of an approved Medical Assistant Program with successful completion of the Certification Exam or equivalent medical office experience is preferred. Medical terminology, ICD-10, CPT, prior authorizations, third party payors and prior authorization processes is required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office: Outlook, Excel and Word.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates well developed communication skills to communicate effectively and
• clearly to a variety of internal and external contacts.
• Demonstrates analytical skills necessary to solve problems and interpret data.
• Promotes collaboration and innovation in the clinical services to ensure an
• interdisciplinary approach to improving healthcare delivery and the
• quality of patient care.
• Must be tactful in handling patient problems often of a highly personal and
• confidential nature.
• Must be able to maintain professionalism during potential frustrating
• interpersonal situations.
• Demonstrates a high knowledge level of procedures, including knowledge of CPT codes
• and ICD-10 Codes.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge (referrals) high knowledge (prior authorization) of
• insurance network guidelines to ensure the referral is scheduled in
• accordance with customer's insurances rules and regulations
• Exhibits a high level of understanding of payor requirements to effectively navigate the authorization process via website, fax or phone.
• Knowledge of insurance and maintains up to date knowledge and stays abreast of changes and updates as they occur.
• Possesses analytical skills necessary to apply knowledge and evaluate clinical information to resolve denials through various, complex levels of appeal.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office: Outlook, Excel and Word
• Possesses strong customer service, communication, organizational and analytical skills.

Working Conditions

• Assigned hours within your shift, starting time, or days of work are subject to
• change based on departmental and/or organizational needed.
• May need to travel to other Beacon locations and may be required to work evening hours.
• Working space is frequently congested by other personnel.
• Constantly exposed to noise and distraction.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Sitting for long periods of time in front of a computer monitor