Utilization Specialist

Riverwoods Behavioral Health System; Riverdale (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverwoods Behavioral Health System in Georgia seeks a utilization management liaison to optimize reimbursement and care efficiency. You will collaborate with clinical staff and managed care partners to review plans, monitor length of stay, and report on utilization and outcomes.

The role requires clinical experience and preferred utilization management background, with responsibilities including pre-certifications, appeals, and staff training on documentation and medical necessity updates.

Qualifications

• Clinical experience is required or two+ years working with the facility's population.
• Preferred utilization management experience.
• Experience coordinating with managed care organizations and clinical staff.
• Ability to gather and present utilization data and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility clinical staff.
• Conduct reviews of insurance plans or MCOs and coordinate communication on reimbursement requirements.
• Monitor patient length of stay and inform staff on related issues.
• Gather data to report utilization, non-certified days, discharges and quality of services.
• Conduct quality reviews for medical necessity and services provided.
• Facilitate peer review calls with external organizations.
• Initiate and complete the appeal process for denied admissions.
• Assist admissions with pre-certifications of care.
• Provide staff training on documentation and medical necessity updates.
• Perform other functions as assigned.

Skills

Clinical experience

Utilization management

Communication with MCOs

Staff training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's/Bachelor's/Master’s in Social Work or Behavioral Health

Job description

Purpose Statement

Proactively monitor utilization of services for patients to optimize reimbursement for the facility.

Essential Functions

• Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility professional clinical staff.
• Conduct reviews, in accordance with certification requirements, of insurance plans or other managed care organizations (MCOs) and coordinate the flow of communication concerning reimbursement requirements.
• Monitor patient length of stay and extensions and inform clinical and medical staff on issues that may impact length of stay.
• Gather and develop statistical and narrative information to report on utilization, non-certified days (including identified causes and appeal information), discharges and quality of services, as required by the facility leadership or corporate office.
• Conduct quality reviews for medical necessity and services provided.
• Facilitate peer review calls between facility and external organizations.
• Initiate and complete the formal appeal process for denied admissions or continued stay.
• Assist the admissions department with pre-certifications of care.
• Provide ongoing support and training for staff on documentation or charting requirements, continued stay criteria and medical necessity updates.

Other Functions

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skill Requirements

• Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred Education: Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master’s degree in Social Work, Behavioral or Mental Health, Nursing, or a related health field.
• Experience: Clinical experience is required, or two or more years' experience working with the facility's population. Previous experience in utilization management is preferred

Licenses/Designations/Certifications

• Preferred Licensure: LPN, RN, LMSW, LCSW, LPC, LPC-I within the state where the facility provides services; or current clinical professional license or certification, as required, within the state where the facility provides services.
• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility.
• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

Additional Regulatory Requirements

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual's characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

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