Authorization Specialist - Per Diem

The Per Diem Float Pool Authorization Specialist is a highly adaptable, detail-oriented professional responsible for securing timely prior authorizations for surgical procedures, durable medical equipment (DME), and medications across various outpatient ambulatory clinics within UNLV Health. Acting as a critical link between clinic practitioners, insurance payers, and patients, this role mitigates financial risk, prevents delays in patient care, and ensures administrative continuity. By deploying to diverse clinical specialties on an as-needed basis, the specialist accelerates the approval process utilizing advanced healthcare portals and ensures strict, standardized documentation compliance within the Epic EMR system. 

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  Please Note: UNLV Health does not provide employment sponsorships or sponsorship transfers for any positions.

ADVANTAGES OF WORKING FOR UNLV HEALTH

• Working Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM (Actual hours may vary depending on business need)
• 12 Full-Day and 2 Half-Day Paid Holidays per year, starting with your first day of employment
• 20 PTO days per year (Depending on Position)
• 3% 401K Contribution, even if you do not contribute
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits that start the first of the month following your start date

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prior Authorization Procurement: Initiate, track, and secure prior authorizations for complex surgical procedures, high-cost DME, and specialty/retail medications across varied clinical environments.
• Multi-Channel Payer Navigation: Utilize online insurance portals (e.g., Availity, Optum/Change Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare Link), Epic Care Link and dedicated pharmacy tools (CoverMyMeds), and direct telephonic/fax escalations to obtain expedited approvals.
• Epic EMR Documentation Excellence: Record every touchpoint, payer conversation, submitted clinical document, and follow-up metric within the dedicated Epic EMR encounter to ensure complete transparency across UNLV Health.
• Clinical Review & Assembly: Review provider documentation, clinical notes, and diagnostic reports against specific payer criteria to submit a clean, highly justified authorization packet on the first attempt.
• Denial Management & Escalation: Identify peer-to-peer review requirements or immediate administrative denials. Coordinate rapidly with ordering practitioners to supply missing clinical data or schedule payer-to-provider reviews to overturn denials quickly.
• Float Pool Adaptability: Seamlessly transition between different ambulatory clinics daily or weekly, rapidly adapting to the distinct procedural workflows and medication profiles of diverse medical specialties.
• Care Interruption Mitigation: Proactively contact patients when complex drug formulas, specific DME models, or surgical dates face extensive insurance processing delays. Provide clear timeline updates and gather any required patient-reported historical data to push the approval forward.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalency. Associate degree or healthcare administration coursework preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of direct experience managing prior authorizations in an outpatient ambulatory care setting or medical billing environment.
• Experience floating or working across multiple specialties is highly desirable.
• Must be Bilingual English/Spanish
• Knowledge of health plans, eligibility and guidelines
• Demonstrated ability to read, write and speak English
• Demonstrated ability to use a computer
• Minimum typing speed of 35 wpm
• Minimum 1 year of hands-on experience utilizing Epic EMR (specifically Epic Cadence/Prelude or Referral standard workflows).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• May include standing, sitting, and/or walking for extended periods
• May include performing repetitive tasks
• May include lifting up to 25 pounds

• Ability to travel to various UNLV Health ambulatory clinic locations as assigned. 

UNLV Health will provide equal opportunity employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person shall be discriminated against in employment because of race, color, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or intellectual disability, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.

If you have any questions about our interview and hiring procedures, please contact Recruitment at [email protected].