Behavioral Health Utilization Care Manager

Banner Health Corporate; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Banner Health seeks a Behavioral Health Utilization Care Manager to oversee utilization activities for assigned members across settings. You will review medical necessity and authorize services, coordinating with hospitals, outpatient providers and the care team to ensure appropriate care plans.

The role requires a master’s degree in social work or related field and relevant licensure, plus about three years of clinical experience.

Qualifications

• Requires master's degree in social work, counseling or related field or licensure.
• Licensure in at least one category as required by state law (social work, counseling or marriage & family).
• Licenses include: LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LAC, or Licensed Psychologist.
• Requires ~3 years of clinical experience (counseling/care management).

Responsibilities

• Reviews and authorizes behavioral health services across inpatient, residential and outpatient settings.
• Assesses member plans of care and monitors utilization of resources.
• Collaborates with physicians, other payers and health-care team members.
• Facilitates discharge planning and care coordination across the continuum.
• May conduct prior authorization, concurrent, retrospective and appeal reviews.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Critical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Licensure (LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LAC, or Licensed Psychologist)

Job description

Department Name: Behavioral Health Work Shift: Day Job Category: Clinical Care

Banner Plans & Networks (BPN) is an integrated network for Medicare and private health plans. Known nationally as an innovative leader, BPN insurance plans and physicians work collaboratively to keep members in optimal health while reducing costs. Supporting our members and vast network of providers is a team of professionals known for innovation, collaboration, and teamwork.

As a Behavioral Health Utilization Care Manager, you will be assigned to various hospitals where you will authorize initial admitting and do concurrent reviews for medical necessity. You will be working with facilities and out-patient providers and will collaborate with other reviewers if there is a change to patients continuum of care. You will utilize your clinical experience, excellent collaboration skills, strong time management, and your ability to be a strong communicator to meet requirements for compliancy and member care. Your work schedule will be Monday-Friday primarily 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Arizona Time Zone. Your work location will be entirely remote. This position does require Arizona residency for compliance.

Banner Plans & Networks (BPN) is an accountable care organization that joins Arizona's largest health care provider, Banner Health, and an extensive network of primary care and specialty physicians to provide the most comprehensive healthcare solutions for Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County.

Position Summary

This position is the point person for all utilization activities for assigned members. As part of an interdisciplinary team, this position reviews and authorizes behavioral health and substance abuse services in inpatient, residential and outpatient settings using approved medical necessity criteria. Monitors care to ensure treatment is appropriate and effective. This position assesses the member’s plan of care and develops, implements, monitors and documents the utilization of resources and progress of the member through their care, facilitating options and services to meet the member’s health care needs. This position provides telephonic or electronic document review. This position engages internal and external resources to ensure members receive appropriate care plan and discharge planning services. This position monitors for quality of care concerns. Will staff regularly with medical directors. Within the scope of their position and licensure, this position will provide education and recommend alternative care plans for treatment not meeting medical necessity criteria. This position is accountable for the quality of clinical services delivered by both them and others and identifies/resolves barriers which may hinder effective care delivery to members. May conduct prior authorization, concurrent, retrospective, and appeal reviews.

Core Functions

• Manages individual members across the health care continuum to achieve the optimal clinical, financial, operational, and satisfaction outcomes.
• Acts in a leadership function with process improvement activities for populations of patients to achieve the optimal clinical, financial, operational, and satisfaction outcomes.
• Evaluates the medical necessity and appropriateness of care, optimizing patient outcomes.
• Establishes and promotes a collaborative relationship with physicians, other payers, and other members of the health care team. Collects and communicates pertinent, timely information to fulfill utilization and regulatory requirements.
• Acts in a leadership function to collaboratively develop and manage the interdisciplinary patient discharge plan. Effectively communicates the plan across the continuum of care.
• Educates internal members of the health care team on case management and managed care concepts. Facilitates integration of concepts into daily practice.
• Has the freedom to determine how to best accomplish functions within established procedures. Confers with supervisor on any unusual situations.
• Positions are facility based with potential for remote work, with no budgetary responsibility.

Internal Customers

All levels of health plan staff, medical staff, and all other members of the interdisciplinary health care team.

External Customers

Hospitals, physicians and their office staff, payers, community agencies, provider networks, and regulatory agencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires master’s degree in social work, counseling or related field or with independent or associate licensure.
• Licensure in at least one of the following categories as required by state law: Social work, professional counseling or marriage and family.
• Appropriate licenses include: LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LAC, or Licensed Psychologist.
• Requires a proficiency level typically achieved with three years clinical experience (i.e. counseling, care management, case management, care coordination in inpatient or outpatient levels of care).
• Must have a working knowledge of care management, case management, hospital and community resources.
• Must demonstrate critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, and time management skills.
• Must demonstrate ability to work effectively independently and in an interdisciplinary team format.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with behavioral health utilization management.
• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

Estimated Pay Range

Estimated Pay Range: $28.28 - $47.13 / hour Banner Health is committed to pay equity and transparency. The posted compensation range is a reasonable estimate that extends from the lowest to the highest pay Banner Health in good faith believes it might pay for this particular job, based on the circumstances at the time of posting. This range is based on possible base salaries and does not include the value of our total rewards package. Actual pay determined at offer will be based on years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location, along with a review of current employees in similar roles to ensure pay equity is achieved and maintained.

EEO Statement

EEO/Disabled/Veterans Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans Banner Health supports a drug-free work environment.

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country and the leading nonprofit provider of hospital services in all the communities we serve. Throughout our network of hospitals, primary care health centers, research centers, labs, physician practices and more, our skilled and compassionate professionals use the latest technology to make health care easier, so life can be better. The many locations, career opportunities, and benefits offered at Banner Health help to make the Banner Journey unique and fulfilling for every employee. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefit package for all benefit-eligible positions. Please visit our Benefits Guide for more information.

Contact

Need help? Contact the Banner Health Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].