New Patient/Referral Coordinator

Job Description Salary: 21-24 per hourJob Title: New Patient Coordinator Pain ManagementLocation: San Diego, CA (On-site or Hybrid, depending on practice)Position Overview:We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented New Patient Coordinator to join a fast-paced pain management practice in the San Diego region. This role is critical in ensuring a seamless onboarding experience for new patients while navigating complex insurance requirements and specialty care referral processes. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of insurance verification, prior authorizations, and referral management within a specialty medical setting.Key Responsibilities:Serve as the first point of contact for new patients, providing a professional and welcoming experience via phone and electronic communicationCoordinate and schedule new patient appointments in alignment with provider availability and referral requirementsVerify insurance benefits, eligibility, and coverage specifics for pain management servicesObtain and process referrals and prior authorizations in accordance with HMO, PPO, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and Workers Compensation guidelinesCommunicate with referring providers, case managers, and insurance companies to ensure all required documentation is received prior to schedulingAccurately enter and maintain patient demographics, insurance information, and referral data in the EMR systemEducate patients on insurance coverage, out-of-pocket costs, and required documentation before their visitEnsure compliance with state, federal, and payer-specific regulationsTrack referral status and follow up on pending authorizations to prevent delays in careCollaborate with clinical and billing teams to resolve insurance or scheduling issuesQualifications:Minimum 23 years of experience in a medical front office, preferably in pain management or another specialty care settingStrong understanding of insurance plans, including HMO referral workflows, PPO plans, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and Workers CompensationProven experience with insurance verification, benefits investigation, and prior authorization processesFamiliarity with EMR/EHR systems (e.g., Athena, Epic, NextGen, etc.)Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage high patient volume and multiple prioritiesStrong communication skills and ability to explain complex insurance information to patients clearlyDetail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in data entry and documentationKnowledge of San Diego-area IPA/medical group referral processes is highly preferredPreferred Skills:Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plusExperience working with interventional pain management or surgical specialtiesUnderstanding of compliance requirements and documentation standards in specialty careCompensation & Benefits:Competitive hourly rate or salary based on experienceHealth, dental, and vision insurancePaid time off and holidaysOpportunities for growth within a specialty practiceWhy Join Us?This is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative, patient-focused team in a growing pain management practice. Your expertise in navigating insurance and referrals will directly impact patient access to timely, high-quality care.