Regional Access & Reimbursement Associate Director

Job Description

General Summary:

Vertex currently operates at the forefront of scientific innovation and has successfully developed and commercialized multiple breakthrough medicines for Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Pain, and the first CRISPR-based, gene therapy for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases including programs in Type 1 diabetes, APOL-1 Mediated Kidney Disease, IgA nephropathy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD).

The Regional Access and Reimbursement Associate Director will help ensure appropriate access and reimbursement of Vertex cellular and genetic therapies through education and within an assigned geography in close collaboration with other US Market Access functions, US Public Affairs, Field Health Economics Outcomes Research, Patient Support, Account Management/sales and Marketing colleagues.

The individual will proactively build customer relationships within a geography to help ensure patient access to therapies and resolution of potential customer reimbursement challenges. This role shall serve as the state/regional expert on reimbursement (coding, coverage, payment). This role develops and maintains in-depth regional/account business plans and provides timely insights on coding, payer coverage policy developments, reimbursement, contracting trends, and competitive activity.

This position reports to National Director of Access and Reimbursement.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Appropriately partners with internal stakeholders across functions (Payer Accounts, State Government Affairs, Trade and Distribution, Hospital Account Managers, Marketing, Patient Support) to develop and achieve targeted plans of action.
• Effectively manages objectives and priorities across multiple therapeutic areas
• Collaborates closely with field payer teams on coverage policy developments and coding education
• Develops and maintains geographic and account business plans
• Establishes relationships with key institution/hospital personnel: C-Suite, Operations, Revenue Cycle Management, Finance, Managed Care, and other stakeholders responsible for access, coding, billing, reimbursement and overall financial clearance
• Provides reimbursement-related support and education (Hospital Economics, Coding, Billing, Payment, Policy, Processes) to secure access for new procedures and therapies.
• Coordinates comprehensive reimbursement pull-through by proactively engaging with institution/hospital personnel to educate on:
• Managed care and government payer coverage policies
• Billing and coding requirements
• Medicare and State Medicaid reimbursement methodologies
• Prior Authorization and medical exception processes
• Claims submission and appeals processes
• Trade and Distribution
• Ensures appropriate adoption and implementation of newly issued codes
• Tracks all local payer billing, coding, and claims submission requirements
• Leads cross-functional challenge resolution processes including interfacing with Patient Support as appropriate
• Requires overnight and weekend travel to attend internal meetings, conferences and at least 80% within assigned geography
• Maintains compliance with Vertex SOPs and guidelines

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and work effectively across functional teams
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking and communication skills
• Expertise in the US market access environment across Commercial Payers, managed and fee-for-service segments of Medicaid/Medicare, Hospitals/health systems, benefit designs, coverage policies and reimbursement methodologies
• Expertise in the institution/hospital inpatient setting related to access and reimbursement requirements by department and overall hospital economics
• Expertise in hospital financial and operational processes

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field required; Master's/Advanced degree preferred
• Typically requires 8 or more years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Current experience in cell and gene therapy access and reimbursement preferred
• Demonstrated experience in a field reimbursement or hospital administration role with demonstrated ability to problem solve reimbursement challenges within Hospital/Institution inpatient setting

Location:

• Field Based, Southern and Southeast States

Pay Range:

$160,000 - $240,000

Disclosure Statement:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com