Director of Procedure & Training for Prior Auth & Denial Compliance

Position Summary:

The Director, Prior Authorization will be responsible for development of and maintenance of Prior Authorization and Denial Compliance Job Aids, Work Flows, procedures & related documents and ensuring alignment with HPN and regulatory Policies and guidance in compliance with DMHC, DHCS, CMS & NCQA requirements, as well as Health Plan contractual obligations.  This role will develops & maintain Prior Authorization training related to Prior Authorization and identify best practices and process improvements based on internal, health plan, regulatory, and HPN audits/reviews.  The role will develops tools to assist the Prior Authorization management and staff in implementing new or updated Policies & Procedures, in addition reviews results provided by HPN and internal oversight audits and monitoring mechanisms and develops tools and aids to assist Prior Authorization in improving compliance and service results.

In collaboration with colleagues, the Director is also responsible for the development of job aids & work flows as well as training materials (Presentation, delivery, tips, etc.) to assist in improving the performance and consistency of the Prior Authorization functions. Develops easily accessible and usable employee resource center for Prior Authorization job aids, training materials and other employee resources to support optimized work processes, excellent compliance and service results.   

As a member of the Prior Authorization management team, this person will attend leadership and management meetings, interface directly with the Medical Management, (UM & CM), Customer Service, Pharmacy, Compliance, Claims and other leaders and health plan representatives as required related to Prior Authorization training, job aids, work flows and processes.

The Director, Prior Authorization coordinates, plans and manages staff activities; develops with Medical Director program goals and objectives; makes staff assignments; develops or assists in the development of related prior authorization and claims policy, incorporating current literature and professionally recognized standards; develops or assists in development and implementation of policy and plans for effective patient centered utilization management; together with the medical director, interprets and administers pertinent laws; through direct and indirect contact, evaluates staff and determines the quality of their work efforts; develops and/or implements effective ongoing programs to measure, assess and improve quality of processes and workflows, treatment and services delivered to patients; develops productive work teams; recommends disciplinary actions; collaborates with clinical leadership for educational programs; represents the department in meetings of professional and/or community organizations; compiles data and prepares periodic reports; responsible for coordinating and providing appropriate coverage; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of the department who might impact on program activities; assures optimal quality of care and service is provided; participates in Quality Assurance Programs as needed; intervenes in crisis situations and investigates all unusual incidents; leads and participates in meetings; may speak on behalf of department.  This position requires general knowledge of CMS and ICE UM processes/policies/procedures and timeliness standards and management level experience including but not limited to: staff oversight, program management, and issue resolution. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

1. Develops, updates and maintains Prior Authorization Job Aids, procedures, program descriptions and related documents in compliance with DMHC, DHCS, CMS & NCQA requirements, as well as Health Plan contractual requirements, HPN Policies and direction from Compliance.
2. Develops a process to keep up to date on regulatory and accreditation changes as well new and modified HPN policies and uses this information to proactively update trainings, job aids, and other helpful tools for Prior Authorization.
3. Develops feedback mechanisms to ensure work being performed is delivering on needed results – i.e., meeting/exceeding compliance and service requirements.  
4. Develops, updates and maintains Prior Authorization compliance and procedural related training courses.
5. Presents trainings in webinars or in-person as appropriate or needed.
6. Reviews audit results (CQM, internal, HPN, health plans, regulatory, others) to review trends and collaboratively works with Prior Authorization managemen