Authorization Specialist Full-Time

Location: Glenwood Springs, Valley View Hospital, 1906 Blake Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, USA

Pay or shift range: $20.00 to $28.87 per hour. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position.

Description

Western Colorado’s premier healthcare facility, Valley View Hospital, is seeking an experienced Authorization Specialist to join our Patient Access Department in Silt, CO. This is a HIGH-LEVEL, NON-ENTRY LEVEL POSITION, requiring strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and prior experience in a medical office or hospital setting.

This role is critical to ensuring accurate and timely prior authorizations, reducing denials, and supporting overall revenue cycle performance across multiple specialties.

This is not an entry-level position. Candidates without relevant healthcare or authorization experience will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Obtain and manage prior authorizations for outpatient and inpatient services
• Interpret insurance eligibility, benefits, and medical necessity requirements
• Navigate payer portals and clinical guidelines
• Proactively identify and resolve authorization issues
• Collaborate with scheduling, clinical departments, and case management
• Maintain accurate documentation within the EHR

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2-3 years of medical office or hospital experience (authorization, billing, scheduling, or patient access)
• Experience handling prior authorizations across multiple payers
• Strong understanding of:
  • Eligibility vs. benefits vs. authorization requirements
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize effectively
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently
• Experience with Epic preferred
• We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

What We Are Looking For

• Think critically and do not rely on step-by-step direction
• Can connect clinical services to payer requirements
• Take ownership and follow through to resolution
• Are proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-driven

Screening Requirement: Candidates may be required to complete a brief authorization scenario assessment as part of the interview process.

Salary

• Entry salary dependent upon education, skill set, and experience.
• Position wage range: $20.00 - $28.87 per hour

Benefits

• Employer paid basic life coverage with buy-up coverage options
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for health care and dependent care.
• Paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI), Paid Sick/Bereavement Leave under Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), leaves of absence.
• Tuition Assistance Available
• Retirement Plan 403(b) plans with employer matching contributions.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount on Valley View Medical Services
• Employee voluntary benefits: discounted RFTA bus passes, discounted gym memberships, Corporate Ski passes, free car seat for new Valley View babies born or adopted by Valley View employee(s)
• Free use of Sunlight and Aspen SkiCo day passes, based on availability.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.