$50K - 70K a year
Coordinate and procure DME supplies, validate referrals for medical necessity and compliance, communicate with internal and external stakeholders, and ensure customer satisfaction in a healthcare setting.
Experience with DME product coordination, knowledge of healthcare referral processes, strong communication skills, and ability to work under regulatory guidelines.
Job Summary: To support the mission of Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) through providing the full line of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) products and services to Kaiser Permanente Health Plan members as covered by the DME benefit; including, but not limited to prosthetics, orthotics, DME equipment and supplies, enteral, nutrition and oxygen. Act as a resource for KPNW by providing strong, consistent communication and education of guidelines and procedures to obtain necessary DME. To ensure DME referrals are in compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines, billing instructions and limitations, and benefit eligibility. This position works under the supervision of the DME Manager. Essential Responsibilities: • Coordination and procurement of delivery of DME supplies and equipment, including, but not limited to prosthetics, orthotics, DME equipment and supplies, enteral, nutrition and oxygen. • Review, validate and process all eligible physician/clinician referral requests including internal referrals that are faxed, emailed, voicemail, verbally over the phone, or located in EPIC, OneHealthPort. Review referral for appropriateness and completeness, review health record to determine medical need and compliance to all lines of business (LOB) guidelines, work with vendor to coordinate delivery expectations. Communicate referral determination according to DME guidelines based on the line of business (LOB) and/or priority indicated. Maintain compliance to regulatory standards for response times according to Kaiser policy and DME turn-around time (TAT). • Through appropriate utilization review (i.e., based on clinical need, diagnosis, prognosis, and regulatory guidelines) of all equipment determine on-going need of authorized equipment • Ensure customer satisfaction by providing fast, reliable, courteous, auditable, appropriate service to our customers. Act as a liaison for DME services to all customers in the supply chain, both internal and external e.g. Care Coordinators, Discharge Planners, Home Health, Clinicians, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Vendors, Claims, Purchasing/Contracting, Pharmacy, Members, etc. to ensure customer satisfaction. Problem-solve, serve as resource, provide information on products, services, and processes. • Research and resolve referral discrepancies initiated by members, vendors, and communications from the claims department. Reconciliation includes differences in quantity, HCPCS codes, and vendor. • Effectively communicate and develop and maintain positive relations interregionally, intradepartmentally and within the business community to ensure professional and ethical business practices. • Provide ongoing communication to management of necessary system maintenance to the DME system to ensure the accuracy of the resource information, including, but not limited to, DME Coordinator Desktop Level Procedures, dot-phrases in EPIC, as well as templates in EPIC. • Strong verbal communication skills in a high call volume call center environment. • Route and escalate calls to appropriate resources and/or management. • Process member manual pay authorization requests per DME guidelines, ensuring that proper receipts are submitted, and timely approvals are sent to claims for member reimbursement. Follow up with claims department on status updates as members inquire on reimbursement. • Perform other duties as assigned by supervisory personnel and DME staff that are consistent with the individuals training and experience.
This job posting was last updated on 9/29/2025