Authorization & Referral Specialist (Per Diem)

Cottage Hospital•Woodsville, NH

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Now Hiring – Authorization & Referral Specialist (Per Diem) Support patient care behind the scenes — when it matters most. Cottage Hospital is seeking a Per Diem Authorization & Referral Specialist to support our Patient Access / Admitting team on an as-needed basis. This role is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, reliable, and comfortable navigating insurance authorizations and referrals in a fast-paced healthcare environment. In this position, your work directly supports providers, schedulers, and patients by helping ensure services are authorized accurately and efficiently. You’ll be part of a collaborative team that values communication, accountability, and patient-centered care. The Authorization & Referral Specialist is a non-licensed role responsible for obtaining insurance authorizations and processing referrals for services ordered by providers at Cottage Hospital and Rowe Health Center Specialty. Services may include (but are not limited to): Radiology Surgical services Infusion therapy Cardiac rehab Procedure room services VA emergency admissions Inpatient medical-surgical admissions This role works primarily through electronic systems, with phone and fax used as secondary methods. Strong attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage competing priorities are essential, along with strict adherence to HIPAA and patient confidentiality standards.

Responsibilities

Receive, monitor, and process authorization and referral requests through the EHR, phone, and secure fax
Obtain prior authorizations through payer portals or by phone and follow up on pending requests
Prioritize incoming work to support timely patient scheduling and care
Submit required clinical documentation and medical records to support authorization approvals
Communicate effectively with insurance companies, provider offices, and internal hospital departments
Perform insurance eligibility checks at the time referrals are created
Submit re-authorizations for therapy and ongoing services as needed
Assist with documentation for medical necessity and support appeals when appropriate
Ensure authorizations and referrals are complete and accurate prior to final submission
Perform additional administrative tasks as assigned