Referral Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Referral Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, processing, and scheduling of medical referrals and prior authorizations for a variety of dermatologic and surgical services. This role supports clinic providers by ensuring referrals are completed efficiently and accurately while adhering to third-party payer requirements. The Referral Coordinator also assists with answering phones, handling appointment reschedules and recalls, and providing front desk support as needed. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and personable , with strong communication skills and the ability to manage a high volume of referrals across multiple providers and locations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Referral Coordination & Scheduling

• Monitor referral requests throughout the day.
• Prepare and process all referral and prior authorization paperwork in a timely manner.
• Gather necessary patient and clinical information from the EMR or clinical team.
• Contact specialty clinics, insurance providers, and facilities to complete referral and pre-authorization requests.
• Utilize third-party payer/insurance portals and maintain detailed knowledge of insurance requirements for authorization approval.
• Call patients within 48 hours of the initial referral request to provide an update.
• Maintain and update electronic medical records (EMR) with all referral and authorization details.

Patient & Administrative Support

• Answer incoming calls and assist with patient inquiries regarding referrals, appointments, and authorizations.
• Manage appointment reschedules and recalls , ensuring timely follow-up for patients.
• Ensure all communication with patients and external offices adheres to HIPAA regulations .
• Work closely with providers, medical assistants, schedulers, and front desk staff to coordinate patient care efficiently.

Front Desk & Cross-Training

• Serve as backup for the front desk team , assisting with check-ins, check-outs, and administrative tasks when needed.
• Stay up to date on front desk policies and procedures to ensure seamless support when required.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform additional administrative or clerical tasks as required to support Tucson Dermatology’s operations.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in a medical office, dermatology practice, or healthcare setting .
• Previous experience with medical referrals, prior authorizations, and insurance verification is highly desirable .
• Familiarity with CPT and ICD-10 coding is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational and time management skills with a high level of accuracy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills .
• Ability to prioritize workload and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently while collaborating with a team .
• Proficiency in electronic medical records (EMR) and scheduling systems .
• Strong knowledge of insurance portals, third-party payers, and authorization requirements .
• Personable and professional demeanor with a commitment to outstanding patient care .