Behavioral Health Analyst

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. This position reports to the Acute Care Utilization Review Behavioral Health Manager in the Office of the Medical Director, Medicaid and CHIP Services Department. The Behavioral Health (BH) Analyst (Program Specialist VI) performs complex behavioral health managed care utilization review oversight and consultation related to the prior authorization (PA) and authorization of behavioral health services within Texas Medicaid. The position leads the MCO oversight activities and includes analysis of Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCO) behavioral health-related PA and authorization policies, procedures and protocols to determine risk of MCO over/under utilization of services. This analyst must understand utilization management and be familiar with evidenced based guidelines such as InterQual or MCG (Milliman) criteria for the determination of medical necessity. The Behavioral Health Analyst must have strong research skills for clinical practice and health care delivery and effectively synthesize findings for a clinical and political audience to determine appropriateness of MCO utilization management activities. Must be proactive in seeking input from other staff in the Medicaid/CHIP Division and demonstrate the ability to work as an effective team member with other divisions within HHSC. Participates in, and at time leads, committees, work groups or activities as requested. The analyst in this role provides expert consultation to staff, other agencies and external persons including legislators and MCOs that provide utilization management of behavioral health services. The analyst stays abreast of current national standards and requirements affecting the behavioral health aspects of the Texas Medicaid medical benefits.

Requirements

Knowledge of Texas Medicaid policy related to behavioral health benefits; behavioral health PA/authorization and utilization management; behavioral health practice guidelines; behavioral health quality assessment, assurance, or improvement; behavioral health research; knowledge of HHSC programs including Medicaid/CHIP and managed care; medical vocabularies such as Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).
Skill in: Computers, including Microsoft Office suite; project planning, evaluation, and implementation; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, and other staff or program stakeholders.
Ability to: work independently and function effectively as a member of a team, and under tight deadlines with high volume workloads; Highly organized and manage several projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment and juggle competing priorities; detail and task oriented; highly proficient in the English language with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication and presentation skills; effectively facilitate meetings, establish and advance agenda goals; write and implement policies, standards and procedures; interpret public health laws, rules, regulations and recommendations.
LCSW, LMFT, LPC or similar Texas clinical license in behavioral health preferred. LMSW may be considered for candidates with at least 1-year experience in utilization management.
Work experience in behavioral health settings for mental health and substance use, experience working with multiple county and state agencies associated with outpatient behavioral health services or clinical review of behavioral health prior authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in managed care PA/authorization and utilization management preferred.

Responsibilities

Plans, develops and implements PA/authorization and utilization management analysis and reporting activities for assigned services. Interprets complex state and federal laws, regulations, and rules related to the program. Develops, reviews, and revises internal utilization review program protocols, policies, and tools/techniques for conducting reviews of Medicaid MCOs to ensure that the organizations are using prior authorization and utilization review processes appropriately.
Reviews medical records, MCO policies, and PA/authorization criteria to determine the compliance of approvals/denials of services with PA/authorization policies and procedures and evidence-based standards of care.
Makes recommendations for improvement in the form of written reports as a result of the review analysis. Prepares project updates, summaries, reports, or other documents and keeps management informed on pertinent issues.
Assists in the review and referral of complaints concerning denial of services and inappropriate PA/authorization criteria.
Participates in internal quality improvement activities through reviewing documentation, assisting in development of quality measures, and development of internal protocol.
Provides consultation, training and technical assistance to agency staff, MCO staff and external stakeholders on behavioral health-related utilization review topics. Informs and collaborates with internal divisions regarding program outcomes. Serves as a clinical subject matter expert in the development and review of utilization management policy. Leads or participates in workgroups and meetings related to MCO utilization management issues or initiatives. Leads or participates in special projects as requested by management.
Other duties as assigned.