[Hiring] Referral Authorization Specialist @Samaritan

Role Description

Samaritan is searching for a Referral & Authorization Specialist to join our team! The Referral & Authorization Specialist is responsible for coordinating and securing prior authorizations, managing outgoing referrals, and ensuring compliance with payer requirements to support timely patient care and optimal reimbursement. This role serves as a critical liaison between providers, patients, payers, and internal departments to reduce denials, prevent delays in care, and ensure accurate documentation.

This is a full-time remote position that will be required to come on-site for onboarding and equipment pick-up (2 DAYS ONLY). This is a full-time role working Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM PST.

Essential Functions

• Prior Authorization Management
  • Obtain prior authorizations for hospital and clinic services, including but not limited to, outpatient procedures, imaging, surgeries, and other specialty services.
  • Identify the health plan(s) by confirming information provided and verifying eligibility and coverage.
  • Verify payer requirements for authorization, referral, and medical necessity requirements based on plan guidelines.
  • Submit complete and accurate authorization requests with appropriate clinical documentation.
  • Track authorization status and follow up with the payer at regular intervals to ensure timely approvals.
  • Escalate urgent or complex cases to avoid delays in patient care.
  • Document authorization numbers, effective dates, and limitations in the EMR.
  • Communicate authorization delays and denials to ordering providers and clinics.
  • Monitor authorization workqueues and ensure timely completion.
• Referral Management
  • Coordinate with providers and clinics to ensure appropriate scheduling and continuity of care.
  • Process outgoing referrals for specialty care.
  • Ensure referrals meet payer and regulatory requirements (e.g., PCP referrals, network rules).
  • Monitor referral workqueues and ensure timely completion.
• Denial Prevention & Revenue Cycle Support
  • Review payer policies to ensure compliance and minimize denials.
  • Partner with coding, billing, and clinical teams to resolve authorization-related denials.
  • Inform department professionals and/or providers when peer-to-peer review is necessary. Assist as needed.
  • Assist with retro authorization requests and appeals as needed.
  • Identify trends and recommend process improvements.
• Communication & Assistance
  • Serve as the point of contact for patients regarding referral and authorization status.
  • Communicate clearly with providers, clinical staff, payers, and patients.
  • Educate patients on authorization and referral procedures and next steps.
  • Maintain ongoing tracking and documentation for prior authorizations and referrals to promote team awareness.
  • Ensure HIPAA compliance when sharing patient information with authorized care providers.
• General
  • Participate in continuing education opportunities.
  • Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, workshops and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in the field of expertise.
  • Ensure no injuries to self or others by following safe work practices and policies.
  • Ensure self-compliance with organization policies and procedures, as well as labor agreements.
  • Ensure courteous and efficient interaction with team members and other support groups.
  • Conduct self in a professional manner and ensure personal appearance meets the standards necessary to perform the job function.
  • Handle additional accountabilities as required by management in a manner necessary to meet organizational standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in healthcare referrals, prior authorizations, or revenue cycle required.
• Experience working in a healthcare setting providing multi-specialty support preferred.
• Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) or similar certification preferred.
• Experience with Medicare, Medicaid (including Washington Apple Health), and commercial payers.
• Understanding of medical necessity criteria and utilization management.

Skills/Competencies

• Strong knowledge of insurance plans, payer requirements, and authorization requirements.
• Familiarity with CPT, IDC-10, and medical terminology.
• Experience with EMR systems (EPIC) and payer portals (e.g., Availity, OneHealthPort, payer websites).
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage high-volume workqueues with attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates competency on equipment listed on department specific checklist.
• Strong critical thinking skills: seeks resources for direction, when necessary.
• Performs actions that demonstrate accountability and exercises safe judgment in decision-making.
• Demonstrates competency in ability to care for customers/patients across the age continuum.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional lifting, reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, pushing and pulling.
• Occasional heavy lifting (lift/carry up to 50 lbs.).
• Manual dexterity and mobility.
• Ability to read and understand patient charts, provider orders, tests results, etc.
• Ability to communicate using verbal and/or written skills for accurate exchange of information with physicians, nurses, health care professionals, patients and/or family, and the public.