Utilization Review Nurse

Cobalt Benefits Group LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

HSA contributions (employer)

Company provided Life and AD&D

Disability insurance

FSA

401(k) with employer match

Paid holidays

Summer Fridays (half day)

Vacation and sick time

Volunteer day

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness reimbursement

Company events

Job summary

Cobalt Benefits Group LLC is seeking a Utilization Review Nurse to review clinical data for medical necessity and cost-effective care under self-funded plans. You will work with intake staff, physicians, and case managers to authorize care and ensure adherence to standards.

Requirements include an active RN license, 3+ years of nursing experience, and 1+ year in UM/UR. MS Office skills and effective communication are essential. Comprehensive benefits and a collaborative team await.

Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted RN license.
• Minimum 3 years of clinical nursing experience.
• Minimum 1 year UM/UR experience.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and utilization systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform utilization and concurrent reviews using established criteria.
• Review medical necessity and prior authorization requests.
• Gather clinical information and discuss determinations with colleagues.
• Collaborate with Case Managers for interventions.
• Document thoroughly to meet audit standards.
• Participate in team meetings and process improvement.

Skills

RN license

Clinical nursing

UM/UR experience

Analytical thinking

Communication

MS Office

Time management

Tools

Milliman criteria

Aetna criteria

BCBS criteria

Job description

Description

Join our team at Cobalt Benefits Group and start an exciting new career in employee benefits solutions. As a Utilization Review Nurse (UR Nurse), you’ll play an important role in helping us offer customized, self-funded insurance options to our clients and members.

The UR Nurse is responsible for reviewing clinical information to determine the medical necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of healthcare services, procedures, and levels of care in accordance with established criteria, payer guidelines, and organizational policies. This role involves evaluating healthcare services and facilities under the provisions of applicable health benefit plans to ensure quality and cost-effective patient care.

The UR Nurse collaborates closely with intake staff, physicians, specialists, case managers, and other members of the care team to facilitate timely and effective care authorizations, transitions, and utilization determinations. Strong communication, clinical judgment, and attention to detail are essential to ensure services meet both clinical standards and benefit requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform utilization and concurrent reviews of inpatient cases using Milliman, Aetna, and BCBS criteria.
• Conduct medical necessity reviews for services requiring prior authorization, applying utilization-specific criteria.
• Request and evaluate clinical information needed to review requested services.
• Discuss cases and determinations with healthcare professionals and physician reviewers.
• Identify cases requiring intervention and collaborate with Case Managers as needed.
• Maintain appropriate and accurate documentation, ensuring compliance with audit standards.
• Participate in team meetings, educational sessions, and related activities.
• Review medical claims and pre-determinations for medical necessity and appropriateness.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and enhance communication among departments.
• Consult with Physician Reviewers for complex or challenging cases.

Requirements

• Current, unrestricted RN license (State license required).
• Minimum 3 years of clinical nursing experience.
• Minimum 1 year of Utilization Management (UM) or Utilization Review (UR) experience.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and familiarity with utilization management systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities independently.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Milliman or Aetna criteria.
• Background in healthcare administration, medical necessity determination, or benefits management.
• Experience in data interpretation and medical trend analysis.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting may be required.
• Regular use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse is necessary; reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.
• Employees should ensure an ergonomically appropriate desk and chair setup.
• Comfort with being on camera for virtual meetings (e.g., Microsoft Teams)

Benefits

After successfully completing a waiting period, eligible Full-time employees have access to our comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Fantastic medical, dental, and vision insurance*
• Twice annual employer HSA contributions, covering 50% of the HDHP plan’s annual deductible!
• Company provided Basic Life and AD&D
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability**
• Flexible Spending Accounts*
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to a 6% employer-match** WOW! (100% fully vested after 3 years)
• 10+ paid holidays
• Fully Paid half day Summer Fridays
• Generous paid vacation and sick time
• Annual Paid Volunteer Day
• Annual Tuition Reimbursement
• Annual Health and Wellness Reimbursement
• Lots of fun company events

*60 day waiting period**90 day waiting period

Who We Are

As a trusted third-party administrator (TPA) specializing in self-funded benefit plans, Cobalt Benefits Group (CBG) is committed to helping employers find high-quality coverage at a cost they can afford. We administer self-funded insurance benefits through our four lines of business: EBPA, Blue Benefit Administrators of Massachusetts, CBA Blue,and Great Bay Administrators. With over 30 years of experience and a dedicated team of more than 300 employees, we work collaboratively to build customized self-funded health plans, manage claim payments and disputes, and administer other specialized programs such as FSAs, HSAs, COBRA, and retiree billing. Join us as we match employers across our region with the right solutions for their employee benefit needs. To learn more about working at CBG, visit https://www.cobaltbenefitsgroup.com/careers/.

Cobalt Benefits Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Cobalt Benefits Group participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.