Intake Authorization & Benefits Coordinator at Bierman Autism Centers – Fort Wayne, Indiana

As a member of the Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) team, the Intake Authorization & Benefits Coordinator plays a key quality control and authorization role that spans both the intake process and concurrent services. You are responsible for quality-checking benefit verifications completed by the intake team, submitting and following up on initial assessment authorizations, and managing ongoing concurrent authorizations to ensure services are never disrupted.

Your role ensures accuracy from the very first benefit check through the full authorization lifecycle. By catching errors before they reach billing, securing assessment approvals without delay, and maintaining active concurrent authorizations across multiple service lines, you protect the organization’s revenue cycle and ensure clients receive uninterrupted care.

Intake Quality Review

• Quality-check benefit verifications completed by the intake team, ensuring accuracy in coverage details, copays, deductibles, and visit limits.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies in benefit checks before services begin, escalating systemic errors to the Benefits & Eligibility Specialist or Manager.
• Document quality review outcomes clearly in the RCM/EHR system for use by clinical and RCM staff.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying root causes of recurring eligibility errors and contributing to corrective action plans.

Initial Assessment Authorizations

• Submit initial assessment authorization requests to payers upon receipt of clinical documentation, targeting turnaround time goals.
• Proactively follow up on pending assessment authorization submissions to ensure timely approvals and prevent service delays.
• Coordinate with clinical staff to obtain required documentation for assessment authorization requests.
• Notify providers of authorization approvals, denials, or additional payer requirements within established timelines.
• Process re-authorization requests following insurance changes, ensuring compliance with payer requirements.

Concurrent Authorizations

• Submit and manage ongoing concurrent authorization requests, ensuring all authorizations are in place prior to service delivery.
• Monitor upcoming authorization expirations and proactively submit renewal requests to prevent lapses in coverage.
• Learn and apply payer-specific authorization requirements, clinical documentation standards, and approval criteria.
• Process re-authorization requests for insurance changes within established turnaround times.
• Track approval rates and denial trends, escalating recurring payer issues to the Authorization Supervisor.

Collaboration & Compliance

• Collaborate with the Eligibility, Billing, and AR teams to prevent denials and ensure accurate claims submission.
• Accurately document all payer communications, benefit check reviews, authorization submissions, and outcomes in the RCM/EHR system.
• Escalate payer delays, denials, or recurring obstacles to the Authorization Supervisor.
• Maintain organized records of all activities for audit readiness.
• Adhere to HIPAA and organizational confidentiality policies at all times.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in healthcare authorizations, benefits verification, or eligibility; ABA therapy experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of payer authorization processes, benefit verification requirements, and clinical documentation standards.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple benefit reviews and concurrent authorization requests simultaneously.
• Clear and professional communication skills, both payer-facing and internally with clinical and RCM team members.
• Proven ability to meet turnaround times and accuracy standards in a high-volume environment.
• Proficiency with RCM/EHR systems, payer portals, and Microsoft Office Suite; Central Reach experience highly preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to reducing errors that lead to denials or delays.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with supervisors, team members, and cross-functional RCM partners.

• Must have manual dexterity to perform specific computer and electronic device functions.
• Must have visual acuity to read and comprehend written communication through computer, electronic devices, and paper means.
• Must be able to maintain prolonged periods of working on a computer while sitting at a desk and attending virtual meetings.

Job Type: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

Pay is competitive and based on candidate qualifications and experience. Full-time employees will be offered our comprehensive benefits including Paid Time Off, 401k, insurance (health, dental, and vision), and the option of Short and Long-Term disability insurance.

Our goal is to fuse science and learning to accelerate progress and transform lives. We were established in 2006 with a simple focus on providing excellent therapy for children with autism and building a unique and fun environment for team members and children to thrive. We live by the culture we’ve created and our core values: to create a fun and stimulating learning environment, empower individuals and treat them with kindness, integrity, and respect, never sit still, achieve, and continuously raise the bar, team above the individual, build a sustainable organization that leaves a meaningful impact on lives, and adhere to our core principles without compromise.

Bierman Autism Centers values diversity in the workplace. The company provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants on the basis of experience, training, education, and ability to do the available work without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, ancestry, or any other status protected by law.

Furthermore, Bierman Autism Centers is committed to providing an equal opportunity workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment based on national origin, race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Bierman Autism Centers does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation as a candidate for employment, please inform a member of the Talent Acquisition team.