Benefit Eligibility & Referral Social Worker

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Tewksbury, MA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) at Tewksbury Hospital is accepting applications for a Benefits Eligibility & Referral Social Worker (A/B). In this role, you will serve as a trusted resource for patients, families, guardians, and interdisciplinary care teams, ensuring individuals have access to the benefits, financial assistance, and community resources they need to support their health, recovery, and successful transition of care. This position is ideal for professionals who are passionate about advocacy, problem-solving, and improving access to essential services while working in a mission-driven healthcare environment. As part of the Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated team committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care while developing expertise in MassHealth, Social Security, disability benefits, long-term care eligibility, and care coordination. This role offers the opportunity to build strong relationships with patients and community partners, expand knowledge of public benefit programs and healthcare systems, and contribute to meaningful outcomes that improve financial stability, continuity of care, and overall quality of life for some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations.

Requirements

Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
Ability to read, interpret, apply and explain the provisions of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications. standards and guidelines governing assigned area.
Ability to gather information through questioning and by examining records and documents.
Ability to conduct interviews
Ability to accurately record information provided orally.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to perform arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy.
Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
At least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or paraprofessional experience in social work or social casework, claims adjudication, job placement, recruitment, employment counseling, vocational or rehabilitation counseling, credit investigation, educational counseling, legal advocacy, or legal counseling.
A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

Nice To Haves

Experience assisting individuals with MassHealth, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, SSI, SSDI, or other public benefit programs.
Knowledge of healthcare eligibility, insurance verification, or financial counseling in a hospital, long-term care, or human services setting.
Experience coordinating services with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and community partners.
Strong understanding of patient advocacy, discharge planning, and care coordination principles.
Experience preparing and managing complex applications, documentation, and case records with a high degree of accuracy.
Familiarity with electronic medical records, eligibility systems, or case management software such as MMIS, Virtual Gateway, or Meditech.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to support individuals and families during challenging situations.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and confidential information.
Bilingual or multilingual communication skills that support diverse patient populations.
Certified Application Counselor (CAC) credential or the ability to obtain certification after hire.

Responsibilities

Provides individualized financial counseling to patients, families, and responsible parties to explain insurance options, out-of-pocket responsibilities, and available financial assistance programs.
Conducts private‑pay assessments using the hospital sliding fee scale, documenting findings and recommendations clearly in the medical record and billing systems.
Completes patient registration for new and returning patients, ensuring accurate entry of demographics, contact information, emergency contacts, and insurance details.
Assists residents, families, and responsible parties with completion of MassHealth LTC applications, ensuring that all required sections are filled out accurately and completely.
Educates patients and surrogates about SSI and SSDI eligibility criteria, application processes, and timelines.
Maintains up‑to‑date spreadsheets, logs, or databases tracking MassHealth eligibility, applications in progress, key deadlines, redeterminations, and SC‑1 submissions.
Assists patients and families in completing paper and electronic USCIS applications related to immigration status, work authorization, and residency.
Reviews Personal Needs Accounts (PNA) balances and prepares PNA reports to identify patients whose assets exceed allowable limits.
Tracks SORB‑related requirements for designated patients, including annual fee obligations and reporting deadlines.
Completes Disabled Person Protection Commission (DPPC) reports as required, in collaboration with clinical teams and according to mandated reporting standards.