Required Work Schedule
- Monday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Tuesday–Thursday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
This is an on-site position. Consistent and dependable attendance is essential to this role.
About The Morton Center
The Morton Center is a nonprofit behavioral health organization providing integrated substance use and mental health services to individuals and families in our community.
Our mission is to transform lives through integrated substance use and mental health services, restoring self and preserving family through education, support, and treatment for individuals seeking recovery and emotional well-being.
We are looking for an Insurance Authorization & Benefits Specialist who is organized, dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with insurance companies, clients, clinical staff, and multiple electronic systems.
This position plays an important role in both the client experience and The Morton Center's revenue cycle. Accurate benefit verification and timely authorizations directly affect a client's ability to receive care and our organization's ability to receive appropriate reimbursement for services provided.
Primary ResponsibilitiesInsurance Verification & Benefits
- Verify insurance eligibility and benefits before clients begin services.
- Confirm coverage for behavioral health and substance use disorder services.
- Identify deductibles, copays, coinsurance, coverage limitations, authorization requirements, and other potential client financial responsibility.
- Accurately document benefit information in The Morton Center's systems.
- Clearly explain insurance benefits and expected financial responsibility to clients.
- Contact insurance companies and use payer portals to resolve benefit or eligibility questions.
- Develop routine payment arrangements with clients when appropriate and escalate complex situations to the Office Manager.
Prior Authorizations
- Serve as the primary staff member responsible for initial prior authorizations for Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Peer Support services.
- Submit authorization requests accurately and within payer-required deadlines so services are not delayed or provided without appropriate authorization.
- Obtain and organize required clinical, insurance, and demographic information for authorization submissions.
- Track authorization status and follow up with insurance companies when necessary.
- Accurately enter authorization information, approved dates, units/sessions, and other required details into The Morton Center's systems.
- Maintain accurate and timely authorization tracking as client volume and programs grow.
- Communicate authorization approvals, limitations, denials, or requests for additional information to appropriate staff.
- Serve as backup support for concurrent/ongoing authorizations when the primary staff member responsible for those authorizations is unavailable.
Client & Team Support
- Communicate professionally and compassionately with clients regarding insurance coverage and financial responsibility.
- Assist with routine payment plans and financial questions within established guidelines.
- Assist clients with Medicaid enrollment or available commercial insurance financial-assistance resources when needed.
- Work closely with the Office Manager, scheduling team, front office, clinical staff, and billing company to resolve insurance and authorization issues.
- Provide backup front-office support when needed, including answering phones, assisting clients at check-in, registration, and collecting payments.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys detail, follows through consistently, and understands the importance of deadlines.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Previous experience with insurance verification, prior authorizations, medical billing, patient access, revenue cycle, or a related healthcare role.
- Behavioral health or substance use treatment experience strongly preferred.
- Experience working with commercial insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or managed-care plans.
- Familiarity with insurance portals such as Availity is preferred.
- Experience with electronic medical records and practice-management systems.
- Strong computer and data-entry skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to explain complicated insurance information in a way clients can understand.
- Ability to work independently while communicating effectively with a team.
- Dependable attendance and punctuality are essential.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means:
- Benefits are verified accurately and before services begin.
- Clients understand their expected financial responsibility.
- Initial authorizations are submitted accurately and on time.
- Authorization information is thoroughly documented.
- Authorization deadlines are proactively tracked and not missed.
- Staff receive timely communication when insurance issues could affect treatment or reimbursement.
- Clients are treated with kindness and respect, even when insurance or financial conversations are difficult.
- The person in this role is reliable, organized, and consistently follows through.
- The position successfully adapts as The Morton Center's client volume and services continue to grow.
Benefits
The Morton Center offers a competitive benefits package for eligible full-time employees, including:
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision coverage
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Retirement benefits
- Monday–Friday work schedule
- Supportive, mission-driven work environment
- Opportunity to make a direct impact on individuals and families seeking recovery and emotional well-being
Why The Morton Center?
At The Morton Center, this position is about more than obtaining an authorization number.
Every accurate benefit verification helps a family understand what treatment will cost. Every authorization completed on time helps prevent an interruption in care. Every detail entered correctly helps our clinicians focus on what they do best—helping people heal.
If you are organized, compassionate, comfortable navigating insurance, and believe details matter, we would like to hear from you.
The Morton Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: $21.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Insurance verification in Behavioral Health: 2 years (Required)
- Behavioral health Authorizations: 2 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Louisville, KY 40204 (Required)
Work Location: In person
