Contract UR / Prior Authorization Coordinator — Behavioral Health / SUD
Unity Recovery CenterLocation: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma
Work Setting: Fully Remote
Job Type: Part-Time Contract
About Unity Recovery Center
Unity Recovery Center is a substance use disorder treatment facility providing ASAM 3.7 medically monitored detoxification and ASAM 3.5 residential treatment services.
We are seeking an experienced Utilization Review / Prior Authorization Coordinator to support verification of benefits, prior authorization, concurrent review, and authorization management for our patient population.
Responsibilities
- Conduct verification of benefits for incoming patients before admission.
- Confirm active coverage, authorization requirements, deductible and out-of-pocket status, and in-network or out-of-network benefits.
- Submit initial prior authorization requests for ASAM 3.7 detox and ASAM 3.5 residential admissions.
- Conduct phone-based concurrent reviews with payer utilization-review nurses according to required review schedules.
- Maintain authorization tracking records and identify upcoming review deadlines.
- Prepare clinical documentation packages that support medical necessity under ASAM criteria.
- Coordinate peer-to-peer reviews between payer medical directors and Unity Recovery Center’s Medical Director.
- Communicate authorization status, approved days, review dates, and payer requirements to the clinical and admissions teams.
- Follow up on denied or partially approved services.
- Assist with denials, reconsiderations, and appeals related to level of care.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of payer communications and authorization decisions.
Qualifications
- Minimum of two years of utilization review or prior authorization experience in a behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment setting.
- Direct experience applying ASAM 3.5 and ASAM 3.7 level-of-care criteria is required.
- Experience conducting verification of benefits for behavioral health or substance use disorder admissions.
- Experience completing phone-based concurrent reviews with payer utilization-review staff.
- This is not a portal-only position; candidates must be comfortable communicating directly with payers by phone.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to track multiple authorization and review deadlines.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Familiarity with Oklahoma payers is preferred, including:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
- Ambetter
- HealthChoice
- UnitedHealthcare
- Oklahoma Complete Health
- RN, LPC, LCSW, or another relevant clinical background is preferred but not required.
Position Structure
This position will begin as a part-time independent contractor role, with the opportunity to expand as Unity Recovery Center continues developing its in-house billing and utilization-management operations.
- Fully remote
- Flexible hours
- Part-time contract
- Opportunity for future growth
Candidates should have direct behavioral health or substance use disorder utilization-review experience and be prepared to discuss their experience with ASAM 3.5 and 3.7 authorizations and concurrent reviews.
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pauls Valley, OK 73075
