Medication Access Program Manager

Job Description

Location: Houston, TX (Hybrid)

We are seeking a Medication Access Program Manager to lead a medication access program that helps patients start specialty therapy quickly and affordably. This position is a full-time, contract to hire opportunity based in Houston, TX. The role oversees benefits investigation, prior authorization, appeals, and financial assistance pathways, including manufacturer patient assistance programs, copay support, and foundation funding, and leads the team that delivers them.

This role is well aligned for an experienced access leader who has managed authorization and financial assistance operations and can show measurable improvement in time to therapy. The ideal candidate leads a high performing team, builds strong relationships with manufacturers, foundations, and prescriber offices, and uses data to keep patients moving smoothly from referral to first fill.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the full medication access workflow from benefits investigation through first fill
• Lead relationships with manufacturer patient assistance programs, copay foundations, and charitable funds
• Supervise access specialists handling prior authorization, appeals, and financial assistance enrollment
• Track time to therapy and identify opportunities to accelerate authorization and funding approvals
• Build escalation pathways for urgent starts and therapies with narrow initiation windows
• Maintain a current library of payer coverage policies and assistance program eligibility criteria
• Coordinate with clinics and prescriber offices on documentation that supports authorization
• Monitor funding availability across foundations and redirect applications as funds open
• Report access performance, including approval rate, turnaround time, and assistance dollars secured per patient
• Train staff on payer requirements, appeal preparation, and assistance program updates
• Partner with revenue cycle to strengthen the access process and support clean claims
• Maintain audit ready documentation standards for payer and manufacturer reviews

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and access management experience
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or equivalent clinical support credential preferred
• Minimum of 4 years of medication access, patient assistance, or prior authorization experience
• Prior experience leading or supervising an access or authorization team
• Working knowledge of copay assistance, manufacturer patient assistance programs, and foundation funding
• Demonstrated understanding of commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid coverage pathways for specialty drugs
• Proven success preparing payer appeals that result in approvals
• Strong data orientation, with the ability to report on approval rates and turnaround time

Schedule:

• Full-time, contract to hire position with conversion anticipated after the initial contract period
• Hybrid schedule based in Houston, TX
• Monday through Friday, standard business hours (Central Time)
• 40 hours per week

Salary Range: The salary range for this position is approximately $85,000 – $105,000 annually ($40.87 – $50.48 per hour), based on experience and qualifications.

Interview Process: Selected candidates will participate in a multi-step interview process, including an initial screening with TalentLNX followed by interviews with department leadership.

Equal Opportunity Employer: TalentLNX is committed to equal employment opportunity and a diverse, inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.