Patient Benefits Coordinator II - Social Security

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

403B retirement

MBTA pre-tax

Bilingual premium

Job summary

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is seeking a compassionate Patient Benefits Coordinator II to assist shelter clients with Social Security applications, including initial filings, reconsiderations, and appeals. You will register as a representative, submit documents, and coordinate with care teams to move cases forward.

You will conduct outreach at shelters and clinics across Greater Boston, support fast-paced front desk operations, and help patients access emergency assistance

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience in a patient benefits or health insurance support capacity required.
• 2 years of benefits experience in a clinical environment preferred.
• Familiarity with EPIC EMR preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with Social Security paperwork including initial application, reconsiderations, and appeals.
• Use the online SSA portal to submit applications and supporting documentation; register as a representative.
• Outreach to shelter sites across Greater Boston to assist with Social Security applications.
• Meet weekly for case conferencing with the internal Social Security team.
• Coordinate with patient care team to prepare Social Security applications and appeals.
• Assist patients with applications for emergency assistance programs (EAEDC).
• Work with DDS and SSA to ensure timely decisions and follow up on applications.
• Attend quarterly meetings with DDS, SSA, and the internal team.
• Provide backup at shelter sites by greeting patients and directing them within clinics.
• Complete MassHealth CAC exam within 60 days of hire and maintain status.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

EPIC EMR

Job description

Who We Are

Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to provide or assure access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. We care for over 11,000 homeless individuals each year and ensure that every one of these individuals can receive comprehensive health care, which includes primary care, behavioral health, medical respite, dental, case management, and more. Our staff work in 30+ locations across the city to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens. From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity, centering trust, mutual respect, hope, and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down physical and systemic barriers that our patients face and provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate.

Job Summary

Hours: Full-time; 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm

Union: Yes

Union Name: 1199SEIU

Patient Facing: Yes

We are seeking a compassionate, resourceful, and patient-focused Patient Benefits Coordinator II (PBC II) to join our team and help patients navigate the Social Security application process. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advocate and guide, helping patients overcome barriers to accessing the benefits and services they need.

As a PBC II, you will provide hands-on assistance throughout the Social Security application process, including initial applications, reconsiderations, and appeals. You will help patients understand and complete the appropriate paperwork, submit required documentation to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and follow up to help ensure their applications continue moving forward.

This position offers the opportunity to meet patients where they are. You will conduct outreach at shelter sites, including the Barbara McInnis House respite facility (located at 780 Albany Street), as well as clinic locations throughout the Boston area, building relationships with patients and connecting them with critical resources.

You will also play an important role in creating a welcoming and efficient patient experience at our clinics. As a backup to appointment scheduling and patient intake, you will assist with fast-paced patient registration, provide benefits support, greet and direct patients at the front desk, and facilitate communication between patients and clinic staff.

If you are someone who enjoys helping others navigate complex systems, solving problems, building relationships, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives, this is an opportunity to put your skills and compassion to work. Join a team committed to removing barriers to care and helping patients access the resources they need to thrive.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with their Social Security paperwork including initial application, reconsiderations, and appeals
• Use the online Social Security portal to submit applications and send in supporting documentation whenever possible, register as a representative with the Social Security Administration and follow through on assigned caseload
• Outreach to various shelter sites across Greater Boston, assisting patients with Social Security applications and relevant follow-up
• Meet weekly for case conferencing with the internal Social Security team and be prepared to discuss outstanding cases
• Coordinate with patient’s care team to best prepare Social Security applications and appeals
• Assist patients and troubleshoot issues with applications for emergency assistance programs (EAEDC)
• Work with Disability Determination Services (DDS) and their homeless liaison to ensure that patients are receiving timely decisions and follow up on their applications, work with the Social Security Administration’s local Public Relations department to follow up on submitted applications and identify best practices
• Attend quarterly meetings with DDS, attend quarterly meetings with SSA and the internal team
• Provide backup at shelter sites by greeting patients at the front desk and direct them throughout the clinic according to their needs
• Successfully complete MassHealth Certified Application Counselor exam (CAC) within 60 days of hire and maintain active certification status

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency required
• Associate or bachelor's degree in a related field and/or have attained the requisite skills from prior work experience preferred (1-2 years of experience in a patient benefits or health insurance support capacity) required
• 2 years of benefits experience in a clinical environment preferred
• Familiarity with EPIC (electronic medical record) preferred
• Knowledge of health insurance and entitlement benefits programs preferred
• Ability to work with minimal supervision successfully
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite including Excel
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred

Compensation and Benefits

• The compensation increases based on years of experience and ranges from $23.00 - $35.60 per hour.
• BHCHP full time employees are eligible for our competitive time off program, health, dental and vision insurance, 403B retirement savings plan,pre-tax MBTA pass program with 40% discount, additional compensation for demonstrated bilingual proficiency and more. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

As an equal opportunity employer, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Covid-19 Vaccination: Proof of Covid-19 vaccination(s) is optional for employment. Candidates who are offered employment will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination if they choose to.

Please Note: Employment at Boston Health Care for the Homeless is at-will. Boston Health Care for the Homeless does not sponsor work authorization visas.