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Prior Authorization Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Prior Authorization information

See Iowa salary details

$12

$19

$30

How much do prior authorization jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for prior authorization in Iowa is $19.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $21.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a prior authorization specialist?

To become a prior authorization specialist, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience in healthcare or insurance billing. Relevant skills include knowledge of medical terminology, insurance policies, and proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems; certifications such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC) can enhance job prospects.

What jobs pay $4000 a week without a degree?

Jobs that can pay $4,000 a week without a degree include certain sales roles, real estate agents, commercial pilots, and skilled trades such as electricians or plumbers with experience. These positions often require specialized skills, certifications, or licensing but do not necessarily require a college degree. High earnings typically depend on experience, performance, and the industry environment.

How much do precertification specialists make?

Precertification specialists typically earn between $35,000 and $55,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. They often require knowledge of insurance policies and medical billing systems, and some roles may offer additional benefits or bonuses.

What Is Prior Authorization?

Prior authorization is a check done by insurance companies and other third-party payers to determine whether or not they should pay for a medical procedure or specific medication. Factors that can trigger prior authorization requests include things like age, the availability of alternative medicines, or the need to check for drug interactions. If they reject the prior authorization, payers often require doctors to attempt the insurance company's preferred procedure and verify unsuccessful results before accepting an alternative treatment plan. Pre-authorization requests can take up to 30 days, though insurance companies and healthcare providers are continuing to work on ways to cut this time down.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Prior Authorization Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prior Authorization Specialist, you need strong knowledge of medical terminology, insurance processes, and healthcare regulations, typically supported by a high school diploma or associate degree in a healthcare-related field. Familiarity with electronic medical records (EMR) systems, insurance portals, and authorization management software is essential. Attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities help you navigate complex cases and collaborate with providers and payers. These skills ensure accurate and timely processing of authorizations, minimizing delays in patient care and reducing administrative errors.

What are some common challenges faced by Prior Authorization specialists, and how can applicants prepare for them?

Prior Authorization specialists often encounter challenges such as navigating complex insurance policies, managing high volumes of requests, and communicating effectively with both healthcare providers and insurance representatives. To prepare for these challenges, applicants should develop strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a good understanding of medical terminology and insurance guidelines. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) systems and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment are also valuable assets in this role.

What is the difference between Prior Authorization vs Medical Billing Specialist?

AspectPrior AuthorizationMedical Billing Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires knowledge of insurance policies, healthcare regulations, and sometimes certifications like NCQA or AHIPRequires knowledge of coding, billing procedures, and often certifications like CPC or CCS
Work EnvironmentHealthcare provider offices, insurance companies, or hospitalsMedical offices, billing companies, or healthcare facilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by healthcare providers and insurers to approve treatments or proceduresUsed by healthcare providers and billing companies to process claims and payments

While both roles are essential in healthcare administration, Prior Authorization focuses on obtaining approval for treatments, whereas Medical Billing Specialists handle the financial aspects of claims processing. Understanding their differences helps clarify their distinct responsibilities within the healthcare system.

What is prior authorization in healthcare?

Prior authorization is a process used by health insurance companies to determine if they will cover a prescribed procedure, service, or medication. Before the provider delivers the service, they must receive approval from the insurer. This process helps control costs and ensures that the service or medication is medically necessary. It often involves submitting documentation and waiting for a decision, which can sometimes delay patient care. Patients and providers should check with insurance companies to understand which services require prior authorization.

What career paths follow prior authorization?

Careers following prior authorization typically include roles such as medical billers, claims processors, healthcare administrators, and utilization review specialists. These positions often require knowledge of insurance policies, medical coding, and healthcare regulations, and may involve working in insurance companies, healthcare providers, or pharmacy benefit management companies.
What are the most commonly searched types of Prior Authorization jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Prior Authorization jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Prior Authorization jobs in Iowa? For Prior Authorization jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prior Authorization jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Prior Authorization jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Prior Authorization jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Prior Authorization job openings:
Infographic showing various Prior Authorization job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,820 per year, or $19.6 per hour.
Referral & Prior Authorization III

Referral & Prior Authorization III

University of Rochester

Knoxville, IA • On-site

$20.30 - $27.41/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


University Of Rochester rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 185 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

123rd of 611 rated colleges and universities


Job description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Room 10347J, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

910083 Pediatrics Cardiology

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URCA 205 H

Compensation Range:

$20.30 - $27.41

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

Oversees data and ensures compliance to enterprise standards and referral and prior authorization guidelines. Communicates regularly with patients, families, clinical and non-clinical staff, identifying barriers to appointment compliance, insurance company barriers and tracking all assistance provided. Plans, executes, appeals and follows through on all aspects of the process which has direct, multifaceted impact on patient scheduling, treatment, care and follow up. Adheres to approved protocols for working referrals and prior authorizations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Responsible for managing department referrals. Serves as liaison, appointment coordinator, and patient advocate between the referring office, specialists, and patient to assist in the coordination of scheduled visits and procedures incorporating all incoming referrals to the department. Conducts data analyses to track patient compliance with specialty services, consistently monitors the work queues, and communicates with referring and referred to departments to reconcile any discrepancies and/or answer any questions. Escalates case management when medical assessment is needed. Prioritizes referral requests using medical protocols, responding immediately and expediting most urgent requests. Requests and coordinates team and patient meetings as needed or requested by patient. Participates as an active member of the care team. Acquires insurance authorization for the visit and, if applicable, any testing and attaches referral records to any visits in which they are missing. Documents all communications pertaining to the referral and/or insurance authorization in the notes section of the electronic health record referral record. Performs a needs assessment using information from the electronic medical record to ensure the appropriate appointment/procedure is scheduled with the appropriate provider, ensuring accurate patient demographic and current insurance information is captured and adheres to RIM protocols for record verification. May perform complex appointment scheduling, linking referrals, and ancillary services for the assigned specialty service. Provides patients with appointment and provider information, directions to the office location, and any educational materials if appropriate. Provides regular data to team on patient compliance with treatment plans and strategies to improve patient compliance, including provider template oversight, reporting to manager any obstacles to timely scheduling. Ensures ancillary testing and other specialty referrals have been executed and results received and acted upon as needed. Investigates failure to receive such information, troubleshoots, resolves, and/or makes recommendations to ensure delivery/receipt.
  • Prepares and provides multiple, complex details to insurance or worker's compensation carrier to obtain prior authorizations for both standard and complex requests, such as imaging, non-invasive procedures, sleep studies etc., communicating medical information to the insurance carrier and coordinating peer-to-peer reviews for denied services. Anticipates insurer's various questions and prepares request by applying prior insurer decisions and specialty/sub-specialty knowledge of general medical experience and terminology, specialty and sub specialty medical office experience, International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedure Technology (CPT), insurance policies, permissible and non-permissible requests, necessary and appropriate medical terminology to use in order for claim to be approved, previous treatments that are necessary to report, appropriate verbiage for treatments that have been tried and not successful. Applies knowledge and protocols to varying degrees based on how complexities of the situation deviate from the norm. Resolves obstacles presented by the insurance company by applying knowledge and experience of previous authorization requests, denials, and approvals. On behalf of the provider and the University, perseveres with the process to ensure as many applications are approved as possible without provider intervention. Determines relevant information needed, based on previous authorization request experience, for submission to carrier if first or second request is denied. Collaborates with provider to draft and finalize letter of medical necessity. Uses system tracking mechanisms to ensure all renewals/approvals are obtained prior to patient arrival.
  • Manages orders for patients being seen in ED/ Urgent Care. Demonstrates expert medical knowledge base with ability to recognize urgent clinical situations. Prioritizes referral requests, responding immediately and expediting most urgent requests. Reviews complex referral requests, evaluates, and schedules to the appropriate provider. Works with providers and other clinical staff to establish the best care plan for the patient.
  • Processes outgoing referrals. Discusses options with patient for outside URMC care. Ensures Meaningful Use requirements are met. Ensures the Summary of Care was transferred electronically via Epic to the referred to office; if the Summary of Care was not or cannot be transferred via Epic, takes additional steps to get this information to the referred to office either via facsimile or mail.
  • Processes incoming referrals not generated within the UR system. Completes referral entry for all external referrals into electronic health record following approved protocols. Coordinates any ancillary testing and obtains any outside records needed for patient appointment.
  • Other duties as assigned.


MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • High School diploma or equivalent and 2 years of relevant experience required
  • Or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Medical Terminology, experience with surgical/appointment scheduling software and electronic medical records preferred


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Demonstrated customer relations skills required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create - and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status,or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.


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