SMA Family Access Manager - Austin/San Antonio, TX

About This Role

The purpose of this position is to be the patient facing expert on the Rare Disease patient journey and the liaison for all Biogen team members involved in the process. The Family Access Manager (FAM) is responsible for engaging cross functional stakeholders on the next steps to support appropriate patients getting started and staying on rare disease therapies. The FAM will get to the root of any logistical and/or non-clinical issues impacting treatment initiation and ongoing therapy. They can identify the point person, tools, or resources to resolve the issue (Account Executive, Market Access & Reimbursement, and/or Case Management). The FAM will have an in depth understanding of the HCP prescribing account, the administration site of care, and the payer approval process at the patient level.

The FAM will provide appropriate patient education and support site of care contacts as they navigate non-clinical barriers, along with reimbursement education, disease state and product education, advocacy and support for individuals living with rare diseases and their loved ones/caregivers. The FAM will interact with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, ancillary staff, patients/families/caregivers, and advocacy partners to prevent and address barriers to patient access and will serve as the primary source for all local/regional patient advocacy activities.

This territory includes Austin, San Antonio and the Valley. The ideal candidate will live in Austin and San Antonio.

What You will Do

• Support patients/families to work through the steps required to gain access to therapy (disease and product education, site of care coordination, understanding of payer policy and procedure, and other support services)
• Play the role of patient advocate in cross functional meetings with internal partners (Case Manager, Account Executive, Market Access & Reimbursement to build and maintain accurate case plans for patients (e.g., case histories, insurance, ongoing coverage needs, treatment plan changes, etc.)
• Works cross functionally to identify and support the resolution of patient access barriers including insurance coverage, reimbursement, financial limitations, site of care, procurement/distribution issues
• Works with Market Access & Reimbursement team members to ensure appropriate reimbursement, engage with payers, specialty pharmacies, and specialty distributors to ensure access
• Must be able to provide strong emotional support for individuals living with rare diseases and their loved ones/caregivers and collaborate with them in a way that allows forward progress
• Be knowledgeable of any changes in the patient access environment to proactively identify issues that may impact access and communicate information appropriately to patients/caregivers
• Complete a comprehensive assessment of the individual needs of the patient considering the patient’s family and team of healthcare providers. This assessment will include understanding the individual’s payer policies, plan designs, including Medicaid coverage if applicable, as well as the healthcare system local to the patient.
• Develop and offer solutions to the family, when necessary, that may also include communication of alternative insurance options and how families can best connect to available resources
• Educates patients, families, and caregivers on product and all Biogen Patient services
• Develop activities with the goal of achieving greater openness and understanding of rare disease
• Build your own rare disease network/relationships through local advocacy groups, rare disease related events, and attending national conferences
• Become an expert on the Rare Disease portfolio and Biogen resources to provide the highest level of patient/caregiver support with the goal of positively impacting the patient journey.

  Who You Are

  You have a passion to empower and educate patients and their sites of care through a dynamic treatment journey. 

• You do this by using your market access knowledge to solve non-clinical barriers to enable on-time treatment. You have the desire to collaborate within a matrix team and at times lead without authority.

  Qualifications

  • 5+ years’ business experience in the healthcare or biotech industry with at least 3 years field-based experience in account management, sales, and/or field reimbursement. Rare disease experience is preferred.

  • A successful record in field reimbursement, clinical education or in pharmaceutical sales/management of products that required significant payer and reimbursement involvement

  • Experience with physician-administered drugs (PADs)/biologics and various outpatient sites of service

  • Seasoned, mature pharmaceutical professional with a comprehensive understanding of field / patient reimbursement, charitable funding, non-profit organizations

  • Experience leading cross-functionally and influencing without authority

  • Case management or experience supporting patients/caregivers directly a plus

  • Must be familiar with relevant legal and regulatory environment in biotech industry

  • Strong EQ, communication, listening skills and empathy skills required- Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus

  • Effective at managing complex individualized cases

  • Must be comfortable spending 60% of their time traveling

  • Driving is an essential duty of the job; candidates must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record according to Biogen policy to be considered

  Education: BS Required; master’s degree a plus.

  Job Level: Management

  Additional Information

  The base compensation range for this role is: $148,000.00-$198,000.00

  Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.

  Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance. 

  In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
  • Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement 
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
  • A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
  • Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance 
  • 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
  • Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit 
  • 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
  • Employee stock purchase plan 
  • Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year 
  • Employee Resource Groups participation

  Why Biogen?

  We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.

  At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about Biogen.

  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.