Payer Relations Clinician (LISW/LPCC)

Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions in Columbus, OH is seeking a Payer Relations Clinician (LISW/LPCC) to represent the clinic in payer reviews, assess medical necessity, and support authorization decisions across the care continuum. This full-time, in-person role requires clinical expertise, strong communication, and collaboration with medical leadership.

The position emphasizes monitoring authorization outcomes, trend analysis, and ongoing performance improvement in utilization management,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a clinical field and licensure in Ohio (LISW/LPCC).
• At least 3 years of behavioral health clinical experience required.
• Strong knowledge of ASAM Criteria and level-of-care decisions.
• Ability to assess medical necessity and interpret complex clinical information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; capable of professional payer discussions.
• Proficiency with EHR systems and data reporting for utilization review.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization's primary clinical representative during peer-to-peer reviews with payer representatives.
• Review clinical records and documentation to prepare for peer-to-peer discussions.
• Evaluate medical necessity and appropriate level of care for authorization requests.
• Apply ASAM Criteria and other clinical standards to support treatment recommendations.
• Collaborate with providers and leadership to obtain documentation for payer reviews.
• Document outcomes, payer feedback, and recommendations per procedures.
• Monitor authorization approvals and denials; identify trends to drive quality improvement.
• Summarize data trends and present findings to the VP of Clinical Services.
• Communicate payer review outcomes to stakeholders and participate in related meetings.

Education

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, or related clinical field

Active and unrestricted Ohio LISW or LPCC license

Minimum of three (3) years of behavioral health clinical experience

Strong knowledge of ASAM Criteria and level-of-care decision making

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems

Job description

Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions (LBHS) offers a full continuum of care, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential treatment, psychiatric services, and medication‑assisted treatment. We take pride in creating a welcoming, compassionate environment where individuals feel supported. Our team believes in every client’s ability to achieve recovery and rebuild meaningful, engaged lives in their communities.

Payer Relations Clinician (LISW/LPCC)

Location: Columbus, OH (in person)
Department: Clinical Services
Reports To: Vice President of Clinical Services
Employment Type: Full-Time

About Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions

Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions (LBHS) is committed to improving access to high-quality behavioral healthcare through clinical excellence, evidence-based treatment, and continuous performance improvement. We are seeking an experienced clinician to serve as our Payer Relations Clinician, a key role responsible for representing the organization in payer clinical reviews, supporting medical necessity determinations, and identifying opportunities to improve authorization outcomes across our continuum of care.

Position Summary

The Payer Relations Clinician serves as the organization's primary clinical representative for peer-to-peer reviews with Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), commercial payers, Medicare Advantage plans, and other insurance representatives.

This position reviews clinical documentation, evaluates medical necessity and level-of-care determinations, applies ASAM Criteria and other applicable clinical standards, and presents clinical rationale supporting treatment recommendations and authorization requests. The Specialist works collaboratively with providers and clinical leadership to obtain supporting documentation and advocates for medically necessary care during payer reviews.

In addition to peer-to-peer representation, this role is responsible for monitoring authorization approvals, denials, and peer-to-peer outcomes to identify trends, support clinical performance improvement initiatives, and strengthen organizational understanding of payer expectations.

This is a clinical utilization management position and does not include responsibility for authorization submission, billing, claims processing, reimbursement, or other Revenue Cycle Management functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Review and Peer-to-Peer Representation

• Serve as the organization's primary clinical representative during peer-to-peer reviews with payer representatives.
• Review clinical records and supporting documentation to prepare for peer-to-peer discussions.
• Evaluate clinical information to determine evidence supporting:
  • Medical necessity
  • Appropriate level of care
  • Continued stay criteria
  • Applicable payer requirements
• Apply ASAM Criteria and other relevant clinical standards when evaluating and presenting cases.
• Collaborate with direct service providers and clinical leadership to obtain additional information needed to support payer reviews.
• Present concise, evidence-based clinical rationale supporting treatment recommendations and authorization requests.
• Respond effectively to clinical questions and concerns raised by payer representatives.
• Document peer-to-peer outcomes, payer feedback, and recommendations in accordance with organizational procedures.
• Communicate significant outcomes and trends to the Vice President of Clinical Services and relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in payer-requested chart reviews, case consultations, and other clinical review activities as needed.

Authorization and Outcome Monitoring

• Track authorization approvals, denials, peer-to-peer reviews, and review outcomes.
• Monitor whether payer determinations are upheld, modified, or overturned following peer-to-peer review.
• Analyze trends by payer, service line, level of care, and treatment location.
• Identify recurring clinical factors associated with denials and adverse determinations.
• Maintain accurate data regarding peer-to-peer activity and effectiveness.
• Prepare routine reports regarding:
  • Authorization approval and denial trends
  • Peer-to-peer volume and outcomes
  • Common denial reasons
  • Medical necessity concerns
  • Documentation trends
  • Opportunities for clinical improvement
• Escalate significant or recurring concerns that warrant additional review or intervention.

Clinical Performance Improvement

• Analyze authorization and peer-to-peer outcomes to identify opportunities to improve clinical performance.
• Identify documentation and practice patterns that may negatively impact authorization decisions.
• Provide recommendations to clinical leadership related to:
  • Medical necessity documentation
  • ASAM application
  • Level-of-care decisions
  • Continued-stay justification
  • Clinical documentation standards
  • Responses to common payer concerns
• Provide targeted feedback to clinical leaders regarding identified trends.
• Assist in educating staff regarding recurring documentation and medical necessity concerns.
• Support development of clinical tools, guidance documents, and educational resources.
• Participate in utilization review meetings, case consultations, and quality improvement initiatives.

Collaboration and Clinical Consultation

• Collaborate with Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) regarding denials and cases requiring peer-to-peer review.
• Communicate payer review outcomes that impact authorization decisions.
• Partner with providers and clinical leadership to gather necessary documentation and clinical information.
• Serve as an internal resource regarding payer expectations, medical necessity determinations, and denial trends.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and special projects as requested.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Vice President of Clinical Services.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, or related clinical field.
• Active and unrestricted Ohio independent behavioral health license:
  • Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
• Minimum of three (3) years of behavioral health clinical experience.
• Strong knowledge of ASAM Criteria and level-of-care decision making.
• Ability to assess medical necessity and interpret complex clinical information.
• Strong clinical judgment and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present clinical information effectively in professional discussions with payer representatives.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting clinical performance data.
• Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with clinical teams and external stakeholders.
• Successful completion of required background screening, compliance requirements, and drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• LISW-S or LPCC-S designation.
• Experience working with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, Medicare, and commercial insurance plans.
• Knowledge of payer medical necessity criteria and authorization processes.
• Experience analyzing denial trends and utilization management outcomes.

Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

LBHS complies with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Ohio Civil Rights Act, and all other applicable employment laws and regulations.

Our benefits package includes paid time off (PTO and sick time), paid holidays, medical/dental/vision, 401(k), life insurance, paid continuing education with supervision, parental leave, and eligibility for loan forgiveness programs.

LBHS is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, genetics, gender identity and/or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

LBHS adheres to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act as amended, Ohio Civil Rights Act, and all applicable rules and regulations. LBHS is an equal opportunity employer.