UM Prior Authorization Coordinator – Remote in CA

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.

This position is full time, Monday – Friday. Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our shift schedules during our normal business hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work with On Call rotation (1 day every 3 – 4 months) and occasional overtime.

We offer 3 – 4 weeks of paid training. The hours during training will be 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST from Monday – Friday. Training will be conducted virtually from your home.

If you are located within the state of California, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Consistently exhibits behavior and communication skills that demonstrate Optum’s commitment to superior customer service, including quality, care and concern with each and every internal and external customer
• Performs all functions of the care coordinator
• Provides non – clinical support to the UM nurse in the processing of all adverse determinations and notices including provider outreach for denial avoidance, accessibility verification and benefit validation
• Ensures informational notices for carve outs and benefits are composed in a manner consistent with federal regulations, state regulations, health plan requirements and NCQA standards
• Validates the accuracy of all information provided in the carve out and benefit notices including carve out providers and contact information provided relevant to afore mentioned notices
• Adheres to the standardized documentation requirements for carve out and benefit notices
• Documents members’ service benefits by verifying with the appropriate health plan websites
• Directs providers and members to contracted provider network and facilities
• Processes appropriate authorizations for HMO clients as specified in the organization’s procedures
• Acts as a resource to other coordinators, staff and providers by resolving issues and responding to requests in a timely and effective manner
• Works with patient services regarding member concerns
• Identifies gaps in training or process impacting the overall compliance of adverse determinations and communicates in writing an effective performance improvement solution
• Meets or exceeds productivity targets
• Uses, protects, and discloses Optum patients’ protected health information (PHI) only in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards
• Performs additional duties as assigned

 

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:

• High School Diploma / GED OR equivalent years of experience
• Must be 18 years of age OR older
• 1+ years of experience with performing non – clinical functions for prospective UM review
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Experience with Windows based programs including Microsoft Office – Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Teams
• Proficient in displaying proper phone etiquette when answering member and provider inquiries
• Ability to work any of our shift schedules during our normal business hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST from Monday – Friday including the flexibility to work with On Call rotation (1 day every 3 – 4 months) based on business need

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in a health care setting
• 2+ years of referrals management OR related experience
• 1+ years of experience with providing supportive OR direct functions for adverse determinations
• Knowledge of utilization management platforms and the capacity to navigate varied health plan websites for benefit determinations

 

Telecommuting Requirements:

• Reside within the state of California
• Ability to keep all company sensitive documents secure (if applicable)
• Required to have a dedicated work area established that is separated from other living areas and provides information privacy
• Must live in a location that can receive a UnitedHealth Group approved high-speed internet connection or leverage an existing high-speed internet service

 

Soft Skills:

• Ability to type at the speed of 30+ WPM (words per minute)
• Broad knowledge of managed care principles
• Knowledge of CPT / ICD – 10 coding
• Excellent communication, organization, and customer service skills
• Proven ability to problem – solve
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage time effectively and work independently

 

The hourly range for this role is $16.88 to $33.22 per hour based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

 

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.

 

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