Job Description
Authorization and Referral Coordinator
Department: FQHC-Specific Administration
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Any Compass Location
Reporting To: Jennifer Shirky
Compensation: $17.89 / hour
The Authorization and Referral Coordinator – Dental plays an important role in supporting timely access to dental services by coordinating insurance verification, treatment estimates, referrals, and prior authorizations. Serving as a key connection point between patients, dental teams, specialty providers, and insurance carriers, this role helps ensure information is accurate, communication is clear, and patients understand their coverage and anticipated financial responsibility before receiving care.
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. *Remote position for Missouri Residents only.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys bringing organization and clarity to complex processes, building positive relationships, and helping patients navigate the details that can impact their access to care. Your attention to detail and follow-through will help keep referrals and authorizations moving while supporting smooth, efficient dental clinic operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Verify dental insurance benefits, coverage limitations, deductibles, exclusions, frequencies, and annual maximums.
- Complete insurance verification and maintain accurate insurance and demographic information in the EHR.
- Prepare treatment cost estimates and communicate anticipated patient financial responsibility in a clear, compassionate manner.
- Coordinate internal and external dental referrals and prior authorizations, including gathering documentation and submitting required information to payers and specialty providers.
- Track referrals and authorizations from submission through completion, providing timely follow-up and updates to patients, providers, and dental teams.
- Coordinate specialty appointments, follow-up care, and documentation from external providers.
- Collaborate closely with dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, front desk teams, insurance carriers, and specialty offices to keep care coordination moving forward.
- Maintain organized, accurate insurance, referral, and authorization documentation.
- Prepare and distribute pre-authorization status reports for dental leadership and assigned providers.
- Support a positive patient experience through responsive communication, professionalism, and compassionate service.
- Follow organizational policies, payer requirements, and HIPAA standards while supporting efficient clinic operations.
Requirements, Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- High School/GED required
- Three (3) to five (5) years dental experience preferred
- Bring strong attention to detail and take pride in accurate, organized work.
- Enjoy coordinating multiple moving pieces and following tasks through to completion.
- Communicate clearly and compassionately with patients, families, providers, and insurance representatives.
- Are comfortable navigating insurance benefits, referrals, authorizations, and financial information—or are eager to build your expertise in these areas.
- Approach patients with respect and a strengths-based mindset, recognizing their ability to make informed decisions about their care.
- Thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy being a reliable resource for both patients and your dental team.
- Want your work to make a meaningful difference by helping people navigate the path to the dental care they need.
