Team Lead, Prior Authorizations
Job Location:
Somerville, NJ - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals including doctors nurses business people tech experts researchers and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit we support patient care research teaching and community service striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.
Job Summary
About the RoleMass General Brigham is seeking a highly organized and experienced Prior Authorization and Referral Team Lead to oversee the daily operations of the prior authorization and referral function. This role is responsible for ensuring the timely accurate and compliant processing of authorization and referral requests for medical services while supporting an exceptional experience for patients providers and internal partners.
The Team Lead will oversee workflows related to insurance eligibility verification specialty referrals medical necessity review and the collection review submission and documentation of required clinical and authorization information. This individual will serve as a key resource to staff and cross-functional partners collaborating with providers clinical teams payers third-party administrators and other departments to resolve complex authorization issues and ensure services are appropriately authorized.
In addition to operational oversight this role provides leadership mentorship training and support to team members. The Team Lead will use Epic and Tableau reporting tools to monitor department performance identify workflow trends forecast staffing needs and support data-driven decision-making. This position will also identify opportunities for process improvement conduct proactive and reactive audits and help ensure compliance with payer requirements healthcare regulations organizational policies and HIPAA standards.
This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented healthcare professional who enjoys problem-solving leading others working collaboratively across departments and improving processes in a complex healthcare environment.
What You Will Do
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Prior Authorization and Referral department ensuring efficient workflows timely processing and adherence to organizational policies and procedures.
Lead mentor precept and train team members providing ongoing guidance and support to promote accuracy productivity professional development and high-quality service.
Monitor department workflows and performance using Epic and Tableau dashboards and reporting tools including work queue monitoring reports to identify trends evaluate workload and forecast staffing needs.
Ensure prior authorization and referral requests are processed accurately and within required timeframes in accordance with payer requirements healthcare regulations organizational policies and HIPAA standards.
Ensure required medical records clinical documentation medical necessity information and authorization details are appropriately collected reviewed submitted and documented in the EHR.
Coordinate authorization requirements for medical services including tests procedures imaging and specialty care ensuring all required information is submitted accurately and promptly to insurance companies and other payers.
Identify and communicate authorization concerns to patients providers and appropriate internal stakeholders prior to scheduled admissions procedures or services.
Collaborate with providers ordering clinicians clinical departments medical offices payers and third-party administrators to resolve complex authorization and referral issues.
Review and address complex authorization denials and appeals partnering with providers patients and payers to gather supporting documentation and pursue appropriate resolutions.
Collaborate with ordering clinicians and other clinical partners when needed to ensure appropriate CPT codes and supporting clinical information are submitted for prior authorization and referral requests.
Develop implement and monitor process improvements designed to increase operational efficiency improve accuracy and reduce authorization and referral turnaround times.
Conduct proactive and reactive audits to identify compliance risks workflow gaps documentation issues and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Identify opportunities to standardize processes strengthen departmental workflows and enhance communication and collaboration across departments.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of authorization and referral activities in accordance with organizational payer regulatory and HIPAA requirements.
Refer patients to Financial Counseling and other appropriate resources when financial assistance insurance guidance or additional support is needed.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
High School Diploma or Equivalent required and associates degree Medical Billing and Coding preferred or associates degree Related Field of Study preferred
Experience in prior authorization medical billing or related roles within a healthcare setting 3-5 years required
Experience in a leadership or supervisory role 1-2 years preferred and Epic experience 1-2 years preferred
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
- In-depth knowledge of prior authorization processes payer requirements and healthcare regulations.
- Strong leadership management and team-building skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with providers patients and insurance representatives.
- Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) systems and prior authorization software.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Additional Job Details (if applicable)
- Knowledge of prior authorization and referral workflows within a complex healthcare system.
- Experience with insurance verification medical necessity review denials management and appeals.
- Familiarity with CPT coding and the clinical documentation required to support authorization requests.
- Experience working with Epic work queues and operational reporting tools such as Tableau.
- Demonstrated ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement sustainable workflow improvements.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and compliance.
- Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a collaborative team.
- Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent service to patients providers and colleagues.
Remote Type
Work Location
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Employee Type
Work Shift
Pay Range
$25.50 - $36.49/HourlyGrade
5EEO Statement:
At Mass General Brigham our competency framework defines what effective leadership looks like by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance make hiring decisions identify development needs mobilize employees across our system and establish a strong talent pipeline.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
Patients at Mass General have access to a vast network of physicians, nearly all of whom are Harvard Medical School faculty and many of whom are leaders within their fields.
