OfferDrill.

Jobs › Centene

This position has closed. Centene removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Authorization Specialist I - Medicare

Centene · NY · Remote available · Full time

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

What experience do you have with Medicare or medical terminology?

What they are checking: Whether their background prepares them to understand requests accurately.

How do you keep your data entry accurate when you're processing a high volume of requests?

What they are checking: Their habits for accuracy under volume, since errors can delay member care.

Tell me about a time you noticed a process problem at work and spoke up.

What they are checking: Whether they think about improving the work, not just completing tasks.

What would you do

Medicare authorizations have strict timelines. How do you make sure nothing misses its deadline?

What they are checking: Whether they understand contractual and regulatory turnaround requirements and track work carefully.

A provider office calls frustrated about a pending authorization. How do you handle the call?

What they are checking: Whether they stay courteous, give accurate status and set realistic expectations.

A request is marked urgent, but you're not sure it meets the definition. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they know when to escalate a question to a clinician instead of deciding alone.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd process a new prior authorization request from a provider's office.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the steps from intake and eligibility check to routing to a clinical reviewer.

What information does a clinical reviewer need from a request, and what do you do if it's missing?

What they are checking: Their attention to complete documentation such as diagnosis, history and requested service.

How do you know whether a service is on the prior authorization list or not?

What they are checking: Their ability to use reference tools correctly so requests are routed the right way.

How do you protect member health information when handling authorization requests?

What they are checking: Their awareness of HIPAA and privacy in routine administrative work.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Centene from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Centene.

Position Purpose: Supports the prior authorization request to ensure all authorization requests are addressed properly and in the contractual timeline. Aids utilization management team to document authorization requests and obtain accurate and timely documentation for services related to the members healthcare eligibility and access. Key Details: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Sponsorship and future sponsorship are not available for this opportunity, including employment-based visa types H-1B, L-1, O-1, H-1B1, F-1, J -1, OPT, or CPT. Medicare experience preferred. • Supports authorization requests for services in accordance with the insurance prior authorization list • Supports and performs data entry to maintain and update authorization requests into utilization management system • Assists utilization management team with ongoing tracking and appropriate documentation on authorizations and referrals in accordance with policies and guidelines • Contributes to the authorization review process by documenting necessary medical information such as history, diagnosis, and prognosis based on the referral to the clinical reviewer for determination • Remains up-to-date on healthcare, authorization processes, policies and procedures • Performs other duties as assigned • Complies with all policies and standards Education/Experience: Requires a High School diploma or GED. Entry-level position typically requiring little or no previous experience. Understanding of medical terminology and insurance preferred. At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday. Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law , including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility. Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act