Medical Director - Pharmacy - Remote

UnitedHealth Group; Phoenix (AZ); Remote; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Clinical Coverage Review Medical Director, where your expertise will directly impact health outcomes. This role emphasizes collaboration with pharmacy teams and clinical staff to ensure accurate benefit determinations and enhance patient care. You'll leverage your clinical knowledge in outpatient pharmacy reviews while enjoying the flexibility of remote work from anywhere in the U.S. This position not only offers a chance to lead and mentor but also to contribute to process improvements in a dynamic environment. If you're passionate about advancing health equity and making a difference, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Incentive and recognition programs

Equity stock purchase

401k contribution

Qualifications

• Active physician license and board certification required.
• 5+ years of clinical experience post-residency is essential.
• Proficiency in electronic clinical systems and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Review and sign off on outpatient medication requests.
• Conduct coverage reviews and render determinations.
• Collaborate with clinical staff and communicate with providers.

Skills

Evidence Based Medicine (EBM)

Telephonic communication

Interpersonal communication

Creative problem-solving

Team building

Presentation skills

Education

Active, unrestricted physician license

Board certification in ABMS or AOA specialty

5+ years of clinical practice experience

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

Excel

Electronic clinical systems

Job description

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data, and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Clinical Coverage Review Medical Director is a key member of the Optum Enterprise Clinical Services Team. On the Focused Pharmacy Review team, they are responsible for providing physician support to Optum Rx Pharmacy Team, and to Clinical Coverage Review (CCR) operations, the organization responsible for the initial clinical review of service requests for UnitedHealth Care (UHC). The Medical Director collaborates with Optum Rx and CCR leadership and staff to establish, implement, support, and maintain clinical and operational processes related to outpatient pharmacy and medical coverage determinations. The Medical Director's activities primarily focus on the application of clinical knowledge in various utilization management activities with a focus on pre-service benefit and coverage determination or medical necessity (according to the benefit package), with a focus on outpatient pharmacy reviews, and on communication regarding this process with both network and non-network physicians, as well as other UnitedHealth Group departments.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Review and sign off on proposed pharmacist denials for preservice outpatient medication requests, after review of medical records when provided
• Conduct coverage review on some medical cases, based on individual member plan documents, and national and proprietary coverage review guidelines, render coverage determinations, and discuss with requesting providers as needed in peer-to-peer telephone calls
• Use clinical knowledge in the application and interpretation of medical and pharmacy policy and benefit document language in the process of clinical coverage review’s guidelines
• Conduct daily clinical review and evaluation of all service requests collaboratively with Clinical Coverage Review staff
• Provide support for CCR nurses, pharmacists, and non-clinical staff in multiple sites in a manner conducive to teamwork
• Communicate and collaborate with network and non-network providers in pursuit of accurate and timely benefit determinations for plan participants; educates providers on benefit plans and UHC medical policy
• Communicate with and assist Medical Directors outside CCR regarding coverage and other pertinent issues
• Communicate and collaborate with other departments such as the Inpatient Concurrent Review team regarding coverage and other issues
• Is available and accessible to the CCR staff throughout the day to respond to inquiries. Serve as a clinical resource, coach, and leader within CCR
• Access clinical specialty panel to assist or obtain assistance in complex or difficult cases
• Document clinical review findings, actions, and outcomes in accordance with CCR policies, and regulatory and accreditation requirements
• Actively participate as a key member of the CCR team in regular meetings and projects focused on communication, feedback, problem solving, process improvement, staff training and evaluation and sharing of program results
• Actively participate in identifying and resolving problems and collaborates in process improvements that may be outside own team
• Provide clinical and strategic leadership when participating on national committees and task forces focused on achieving Clinical Coverage Review goals
• Ability to obtain additional state medical licenses as needed
• Participate in rotational weekend and holiday call coverage
• Other duties and goals assigned by the medical director's supervisor

Required Qualifications:

• Active, unrestricted physician license
• Current board certification in ABMS or AOA specialty; Internal Medicine, Family Practice or Emergency Medicine
• 5+ years of clinical practice experience after completing residency training
• Substantial experience in using electronic clinical systems
• Participate in rotational weekend and holiday call coverage
• Proven solid belief in EBM (Evidence Based Medicine), and familiarity with current medical issues and practices
• PC skills, specifically using MS Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Excellent presentation skills for both clinical and non-clinical audiences
• Excellent telephonic and interpersonal communication skills
• Team player and teambuilding skills
• Creative problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Board certification in Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Hematology-Oncology
• Hands-on experience in utilization review
• Clinical practice experience in the last 2 years
• Data analysis experience
• Sound knowledge of the managed care industry
• Project management background
• Proven problem-solving expertise
• Supervisory skills, including clinical mentoring and coaching expertise
• Data analysis and interpretation experience and skills
• Reside in PST or MST

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

The salary range for this role is $269,500 to $425,500 annually based on full-time employment. Salary Range is defined as total cash compensation at target. The actual range and pay mix of base and bonus is variable based upon experience and metric achievement Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of