Utilization Review Coordinator (On-Site)

Pioneer Human Services; Sedro-Woolley (WA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Flexible Spending Account

Dependent Care FSA

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan

Employee recognition

Public transportation discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Pioneer Human Services is seeking a focused Utilization Review Coordinator to help manage client records, ensure medical necessity, and secure timely authorizations for services across Washington state.

This role collaborates with clinical and administrative teams to monitor utilization and maintain accurate EMR documentation, supporting positive patient outcomes and compliant funding workflows.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in health care, business, or related field or two years of experience in Utilization Management/Medical Administrative Assistant
• 2 years of experience working with individuals with behavioral health conditions
• 2 years of experience working in substance use or mental health fields
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in health care, business, or related field (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Reviews treatment plans to ensure proper documentation and continuity of care
• Reviews client records using utilization criteria to determine medical necessity and need for continuing treatment
• Monitors utilization patterns, daily census, no-shows, and AMAs
• Maintains UR documentation in EMR
• Composes and sends professional communications related to medical records and case coordination
• Collaborates with billing, clinical staff, management, UM team, and finance to ensure data accuracy and timely financial collection
• Promotes teamwork and collaboration with coworkers
• Maintains knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance requirements for pre-authorization, authorization, and peer-to-peer review

Skills

Utilization Management

Medical Administrative Assistant

Education

Associate’s degree in health care, business, or related field

Bachelor’s degree or higher (preferable)

Job description

If you are looking for employment with a purpose where you can help improve the daily lives of the members of your community, then consider a career with Pioneer Human Services!

We are currently looking for a Utilization Review Coordinator with a passion for human services. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with an organization focused on a transformative path towards social change, creating pathways for rehabilitation, reintegration, and redemption.

Who we are – Our Mission
We empower justice-involved individuals to overcome adversity and reach their full potential.

For over 60 years, we have proudly serviced our clients with professionalism and empathy. We are a nationally recognized non-profit with 35+ locations across Washington state that provided a chance for change to over 9,500 individuals in 2024.

What We Offer

At Pioneer, our employees are important. That is why we offer a Total Rewards package that includes compensation and benefits to support employees' health, security, and balance.

Compensation:

New hires for this position typically start between $27.45 and $34.31 hourly, depending on factors such as work location, experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, internal equity, and market conditions. While the full pay range is provided to support pay transparency, individual compensation will vary within the range based on these factors.

Benefits That Invest in You:

At Pioneer, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and continued growth.

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Financial Protection

• Employer-provided life insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Disability coverage

Invest in Your Future

• Front-Loaded Tuition Assistance
• Retirement Plan
• Employee recognition programs
• Public transportation discounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Join Pioneer and build more than a career. Be part of a team that supports your well-being, recognizes your contributions, and invests in your future.

Benefit eligibility, coverage, contributions, and program provisions are subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plans and policies.

What you will do
The goal of utilization management is to control costs, improve revenue collection, and ensure data integrity. The Utilization Review Coordinator will critically examine guest medical records for completeness and accuracy to ensure appropriate funding and authorizations are in place for timely and accurate payment. This position works closely with clinical, leadership and administrative staff to ensure Pioneer receives accurate and timely payment for services provided.

Primary/Essential duties and Responsibilities are but not limited to:

• Reviews treatment plans to ensure proper documentation, continuity of care, and compliance.
• Reviews client records using utilization criteria to ensure medical necessity and determine need for continuing treatment.
• Monitors utilization patterns including daily census, no-shows, and AMAs and notifies leadership of potential utilization issues.
• Monitors, tracks, and analyzes required reports.
• Maintains applicable UR documentation in Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Conducts peer-to-peer review with MCO to appeal denials.
• Submits appeals for denied authorizations with applicable clinical, demographic, and payer information.
• Coordinates, monitors, and tracks resolution of revenue cycle tickets to help resolve funding and other related, non-clinical, client issues.
• Ensures clients have access to services while ensuring the client’s right to be in the least restrictive environment as clinically appropriate.
• Understands and applies MCO, CMS, and insurance requirements for pre-authorization, authorization, concurrent, retrospective, and peer-to-peer review for individuals admitted under voluntary treatment status.
• Ensures excellent customer service is provided to payers, vendors, and internal customers.
• Maintains access to Quick Mar, EHR, payer portals and other required systems.
• Negotiates length of stay with payers.
• Collaborate with clinical team to ensure accuracy of payer information, placement, clinical status, and discharge needs.
• Coordinates with health plan organizations, hospitals, doctors, and pharmacists to ensure services are covered and to improve treatment outcomes.
• Composes and sends professional communication related to medical records and case coordination.
• Monitors and provides appropriate staff updates for authorizations and length-of-stay; assists with transition for continued stays, discharges, or transfers.
• Collaborates and partners with billing, clinical staff, management, UM team, and finance to ensure data accuracy, operational efficiency, timely financial collection, and adequate task coverage.
• Maintains working knowledge and collaborative relationships with community partners and resources.
• Promotes and models’ teamwork and collaboration with coworkers.
• Maintains current knowledge of federal and state regulations for Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance/managed care, and other related industry programs and practices.
• Assists with training staff to ensure operational efficiency.

What you will bring

• Associate’s degree in health care, business, or related field or two years of experience in Utilization Management/Medical Administrative Assistant

• 2 years of experience working with individuals with behavioral health conditions.
• 2 years of experience working in substance use or mental health fields

Preferably you will bring.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in health care, business, or related field
• Experience in Medical billing, data entry, invoicing
• Experience working in a residential treatment facility

EEO

Pioneer human services is an equal opportunity employer of minorities/women/individuals with disabilities/protected veterans and does not unlawfully discriminate under federal, state, or local laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.

Pioneer Human Services is a Drug-Free Company

Pioneer Human Services is a drug free company. Pioneer’s existing drug-free workplace policy prohibits the use of marijuana, including medical marijuana, and complies with Washington law. As such, this position is subject to drug testing during employment, to include testing for marijuana.