Benefits and Eligibility Specialist

Arizona State Government; Phoenix (AZ); Remote; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System seeks a Benefits and Eligibility Specialist to determine financial eligibility for Medicaid programs. This role involves customer service and requires effective communication and problem-solving skills. Opportunities for remote work are available, supporting a flexible work culture.

Benefits

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Time

Paid Parental Leave

Retirement Program

Affordable Insurance Plan

Career Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have 6 months customer service related work experience.
• Bilingual (fluent) in Navajo preferred for Chinle office.

Responsibilities

• Make financial eligibility determinations for Medicaid programs.
• Provide customer service in various settings including phone and call center.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Research

Interpersonal Relationships

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Tools

HEAplus

Microsoft

Google

Job description

AHCCCS

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
Accountability, Community, Innovation, Leadership, Passion, Quality, Respect, Courage, Teamwork

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s Medicaid agency, is driven by its mission to deliver comprehensive, cost-effective health care to Arizonans in need. AHCCCS is a nationally acclaimed model among Medicaid programs and a recipient of multiple awards for excellence in workplace effectiveness and flexibility.

AHCCCS employees are passionate about their work, committed to high performance, and dedicated to serving the citizens of Arizona. Among government agencies, AHCCCS is recognized for high employee engagement and satisfaction, supportive leadership, and flexible work environments, including remote work opportunities. With career paths for seasoned professionals in a variety of fields, entry-level positions, and internship opportunities, AHCCCS offers meaningful career opportunities in a competitive industry.

Come join our dynamic and dedicated team.

Benefits and Eligibility Specialist

Division of Member and Provider Services (DMPS)

Job Location:

Medical Assistance - Specialist Programs (MA-SP) Unit

Address: 801 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034

This position has the potential to work from a Virtual Office (VO) setting based on the unit needs and the performance of the individual.

Posting Details:

Salary: $41,693

Grade: 18

First Review of Resumes: May 20, 2025

Closing Date: May 28, 2025

Job Summary:

Benefit & Eligibility Specialists (BESs) are responsible for making financial eligibility determinations for Medicaid programs. BESs provide customer service to diverse populations in a variety of settings that may include in person, phone, and/or call center.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Completing financial eligibility determinations for ALTCS, SSI MAO, Medicare Savings, KidsCare, Specialty Medicaid and the FTW programs following productivity, timeliness, and quality guidelines. Scheduling and conducting interviews. Communicate with customers after the interview to include requesting information, status updates and final decision.
• Requesting eligibility verification from multiple sources and reviewing documentation in various systems.
• Researching, following, and applying prescribed policies and procedures.
• Documenting throughout the application process as needed, actions taken, relevant case information, and eligibility related material in case records until final case determination is made using HEAplus system.
• Participate in team meetings, AMS Process improvement, and assisting with special projects.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge:
• A call center environment.
• Medicare and Medicaid Programs.
• State and Federal rules and statutes.
• ALTCS, SSI MAO, Medicare Savings, KidsCare, Speciality Medicaid, and the FTW financial eligibility policies and procedures.
• Budget calculations used to determine eligibility.
• Community resources.
• Arizona Management System (AMS).

Skills:
• Written and verbal communication.
• Conducting research.
• Investigative interviewing techniques.
• Two way interaction and exchange of information with customers either face to face or over the phone.
• Interpersonal relationships.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Manage multiple tasks in a caseload.
• Self-prioritize job functions as needed.
• Mathematical calculations.
• Phone etiquette.

Abilities:
• Organize and prioritize a caseload.
• Communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Effectively document actions taken and decisions made.
• Accurately calculate mathematical equations.
• Apply current laws, rules and regulations in making eligibility determinations.
• Determine share of cost amounts.
• Interview effectively when dealing with all community populations.
• Apply customer service techniques; empathy, active listening, and remaining calm during customer interactions.
• Efficiently interact with family members and other entities.
• Effectively organize and prioritize tasks.
• Use logic and problem solving techniques.
• Analytical skills.
• Use numerous computer databases, systems, and programs to include HEAplus, PMMIS, ACE, FORTIS, AZTEC, RightFax, Microsoft, Google, email and word processing applications.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Work in an inbound automatic call distributor (ACD) environment.

Selective Preference(s):

Minimum: Must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) and 6 months customer service related work experience. Must successfully pass a test appropriate to area of assignment. Chinle office only: Bilingual (fluent) in Navajo.

Preferred: 1 year customer service related work experience. Bilingual (Spanish) a plus but not required.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).

Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Contact Us:

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing [e-mail].
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.