Prior Authorization Nurse – Remote – AZ

Awarded a Healthiest Employer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona aims to fulfill its mission to inspire health and make it easy. AZ Blue offers a variety of health insurance products and services to meet the diverse needs of individuals, families, and small and large businesses as well as providing information and tools to help individuals make better health decisions.

At AZ Blue, we have a hybrid workforce strategy, called Workability, that offers flexibility with how and where employees work. Our positions are classified as hybrid, onsite or remote. While the majority of our employees are hybrid, the following classifications drive our current minimum onsite requirements:

• Hybrid People Leaders: must reside in AZ, required to be onsite at least twice per week
• Hybrid Individual Contributors: must reside in AZ, unless otherwise cited within this posting, required to be onsite at least once per week
• Hybrid 2 (Operational Roles such as but not limited to: Customer Service, Claims Processors, and Correspondence positions): must reside in AZ, unless otherwise cited within this posting, required to be onsite at least once per month
• Onsite: daily onsite requirement based on the essential functions of the job
• Remote: not held to onsite requirements, however, leadership can request presence onsite for business reasons including but not limited to staff meetings, one-on-ones, training, and team building

Please note that onsite requirements may change in the future, based on business need, and job responsibilities. Most employees should expect onsite requirements and at a minimum of once per week.

This remote work opportunity requires residency, and work to be performed, within the State of Arizona. 

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Ensures accuracy and timeliness in the completion of prior authorization (PA) requests to meet contractual requirements and ensures all reviews utilize nationally recognized and evidence-based standards for the Medicaid Segment which includes Medicaid and Medicare Advantage / Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), and Affordable Care Act (ACA) members. Ensures the completion, accuracy, and timeliness in the Notice of Action (NOA) process.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Required Work Experience

• 3 years of clinical experience
• 1 year of Medicaid/Medicare experience
• 1 year prior authorization and member and provider notification (NOA) experience
• 1 year experience with National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards

Required Education

• Associate degree in Nursing

Required Licenses

• Active, current, and unrestricted license to practice in the State of Arizona (a state in the United States) as a health professional, including RN or LPN.

Required Certifications

• N/A

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Work Experience

• 3+ years of experience in managed care
• 3+years of experience in prior authorization/utilization review

Preferred Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Preferred Licenses

• N/A

Preferred Certifications

• N/A

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ALL LEVELS

• Ensures the accuracy and timeliness of prior authorization requests to meet contractual requirements.
• Coordinates and manages the established preauthorization review process for pre-service requests.
• Ensures the use of nationally recognized and evidence-based standards in the completion of all pre-service reviews.
• Utilize clinical skills, chart review, physician communication and appropriate criteria for approval of pre-service requests; escalate pre-service request(s) to the medical director for determination when criteria  not met.
• Clearly define and document review rationale to support approval, Medical Director Review and/or Notice of Action document.
• Initiates interdepartmental coordination to ensure quality and timely care for members.
• Participates in Quality Improvement Projects as directed.
• Participate in department audits and other regulatory activities.
• Engage cross-functionally and participate in special projects as needed.
• Performs Notice of Action (NOA) process.
• Participate in annual policy and procedure review and revision.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• The position requires a full-time work schedule,40 hours per week, plus any additional hours as requested or as needed to meet business requirements.

COMPETENCIES

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Required Job Skills

• Computer skills to include Microsoft Office applications, Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to use electronic medical management systems
• Analytical problem solving skills

Required Professional Competencies

• N/A

Required Leadership Experience and Competencies

• N/A

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES

Preferred Job Skills

N/A

Preferred Professional Competencies

N/A

Preferred Leadership Experience and Competencies

N/A

Our Commitment

AZ Blue does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected group.

Thank you for your interest in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.  For more information on our company, see azblue.com.  If interested in this position, please apply.