Behavioral Health Care Advocate – Utilization Management – Remote

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

You have high standards. So do we. Here at UnitedHealth Group, this includes offering an innovative new standard for care management. It goes beyond counseling services and verified referrals to programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. That means you’ll have an opportunity to make an impact on a huge scale – as part of an incredible team culture that’s defining the future of behavioral health care. 

***The required schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 9:30am – 6:00pm Central Time***

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.   

Primary Responsibilities:

• Complete concurrent reviews for higher levels of care (i.e., Inpatient, Residential and Partial hospital admissions)
• Review patient assessments and determine / recommend appropriate levels of care
• Determine if additional clinical treatment sessions are needed through managing and/or staffing cases
• Manage inpatient mental health and substance use disorder cases throughout the entire treatment plan
• Administer benefits and review treatment plans as needed
• Coordinate benefits and transitions between various areas of care
• Identify ways to add value to treatment plans and consulting with facility staff
• Identify ways to add value to treatment plans
• Oversee the facility-based care experience

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Independently licensed clinician, with a Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related behavioral health discipline, OR an RN with 2+ years of experience in behavioral health
• Licenses must be independent, active, and unrestricted 
• 2+ years of experience in a related mental health environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs (Word, Outlook, Internet)
• Willing to work occasional holidays (dictated by business need)
• Proven ability to multitask between different systems and cases

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an inpatient setting
• Experience working in an environment that required coordination of benefits and utilization of multiple groups and resources for patients
• Experience working with Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid lines of business
• Experience with working in ICUE
• Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse
• Proven excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Access to install high-speed internet and a dedicated, distraction-free workspace at home

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes – an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.