SMA Family Access Manager

Role Summary

The Family Access Manager (FAM) is the patient-facing expert on the Rare Disease journey and a liaison for Biogen teams involved in patient access. They engage cross-functional partners to help patients start and stay on therapy by resolving non-clinical barriers, assisting with site-of-care coordination, and navigating payer approval. They educate patients and caregivers, connect them with Biogen patient services, and build relationships with physicians, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to optimize access.

Responsibilities

• 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

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 is a plus
• Effective at managing complex individualized cases

Education

• BS Required; master’s degree a plus

Additional Requirements

• 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