What is PACS – Prior Authorization Training
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Become a Prior Authorization Certified Specialist™

What is PACS™?

The Prior Authorization Certified Specialist (PACS) program is the only program focused on the information necessary to be a successful access and reimbursement professional. Ensuring patient access can be hard work, and PACS will showcase your expertise in this area.

This comprehensive, 12-module, self-paced and online program is designed to foster the professional development of allied health and life science professionals who work with payers to navigate the prior authorization landscape. With a PACS certification, you demonstrate that you’ve mastered the highest standard of knowledge through extensive experience, intensive study, assessment, and evaluation.

PACS Program Curriculum

  1. Prior Authorization Understanding

    Covers what prior authorization is and how it came to be utilized across the industry

  2. Insurance Policies and Payment

    Provides a comprehensive understanding of health insurance for federal, state, and commercial plans as well as pricing, drug tiering and copay assistance

  3. Compliance

    Focuses on the compliance standards relevant to any professional working in reimbursement and access

  4. Process

    Centers on the functional steps of processing prior authorizations from requirement discovery to claim submission

  5. Barriers to Access

    Provides the essential resources and education to develop the skills needed to handle denials and work towards claim resolution

Program Structure

Once you enroll in the PACS program, you have up to 6 months to complete the program.

Each of the 12 PACS™ modules includes:

  1. Pre-Quiz (Optional)

    Establishes your existing knowledge of the specific module's content

  2. Module Content

    Consists of multiple sections that vary from module to module

  3. Post-Quiz

    Determines how well you’ve absorbed and retained the module content

Time needed to complete

PACS is a self-paced program, and you have six months to complete the certification. On average, most learners complete the program within 2 months (approximately 10-12 hours)

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Align the goals of authorizers with the expectations of patients and payers

  • Understand the prior authorization landscape to improve patient access

  • Reinforce knowledge of federal, state, and commercial health plans

  • Learn how to process prior authorizations by navigating the communication expectations of payers

  • Broaden your knowledge of special considerations for disease states, services, and product types that can influence the patient’s journey to better health

  • Improve confidence when handling denials and submitting appeals


Module Breakdown

Module 1 lays the foundation for understanding the prior authorization landscape. This module goes over what prior authorization is, how it came to be, and who is involved in this utilization management process.

Module 2 covers insurance policies, payments, and copay assistance. Processing prior authorization requires knowledge of federal, state, and commercial health insurance, drug tiering, formularies, and determining insurance eligibility. To help understand patients who cannot afford prescriptions, there are patient assistance programs and copay programs designed to help patients gain access to necessary medications.

Module 3 mitigates risk surrounding compliance standards in the industry by reinforcing law and ethical practice. For reimbursement, it is expected that authorization professionals protect patient information to the standard of HIPAA and ensure accurate coding.

Module 4 explains in detail the components of the medical record and prescription to aid in the authorization process. Valuable information is conveyed in these documents and can help the authorization find information efficiently and successfully.

Module 5 focuses in the value of medical documentation and coding to apply to the prior authorization request. Understanding the ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS codes as well as medically accepted indications and medical necessity will support the authorization process.

Module 6 provides in-depth explanations of the communication methods for the prior authorization process. Effective communication with the payer is imperative for submitting a prior authorization and receiving updated status for the patient.

Module 7 takes a step-wise approach to the submissions of prior authorization for both medical benefits and prescription benefits. This approach is from the provider perspective to ensure all steps are appropriately taken and the risk of denial is minimized.

Module 8 covers the broad scope of specialties and clinical practice which require authorization. Some services require additional attention, including diagnostic and interventional radiology, oncology, specialty medication, infusion services, J code medications, durable medical equipment, and various therapies. The function is not to memorize the special cases, but to critically think through the workflows.

Module 9 provides guidance on how to request and achieve an out of network waiver for special cases. This is particularly important for patients who experience limited accessibility and mobility or require particular specialists.

Module 10 discusses the frequent coverage determinations for medication claims that require additional considerations. This includes quantity limits, tier exceptions, step therapy, step therapy exceptions, and non-formulary exceptions. Considerations are also made for high-risk medications, opioids, Medicare Part B vs Part D, End Stage Renal Disease, hospice, and Drug Utilization Reviews.

Module 11 describes the denial process and how to overturn the decision with an appeal. Strategic methods exist to review the application for authorization and to appeal with success.

Module 12 presents the future of prior authorizations on a macro level and opportunities in the field as an individual. Prior authorizations continue to expand as the healthcare industry adapts to new challenges.

What does the PACS Program include?

  • 12 Premier Learning Modules (updated quarterly)
  • Practical Case Studies
  • Downloadable Resources
  • PACS Toolkit
  • Knowledge Checks
  • Final Examination
  • 24/7 Dedicated Live Support