Benefits Specialist

KANZA MENTAL HEALTH AND GUIDANCE CENTER INC•Hiawatha, KS

15d•$20 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist assists individuals served by Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center and/or Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department in obtaining and maintaining health coverage, public benefits, and financial assistance needed to access behavioral health, physical health, medication, and other essential services. The role also supports both organizations’ revenue cycles through insurance eligibility and coverage assistance and serves as an administrative resource for organizational payer enrollment and related maintenance. The position is employed by Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center and works collaboratively with its staff and Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department personnel. It may be based primarily at Kanza’s Hiawatha, Kansas office, with routine travel to Kanza’s Holton office, Health Department locations, and other community sites as needed. The schedule is full-time, 40 hours per week, generally Monday through Friday during normal operating hours, and may vary according to client, program, and organizational needs. The position is hourly, non-exempt, and reports to the Manager of Health Information and Revenue Cycle and the Director of Finance and Operations. There are no direct reports.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Ability to learn federal, state, and local benefit programs and complex eligibility requirements, application processes, and government benefit systems.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple applications, documentation, and deadlines.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain complex information clearly and patiently.
Strong computer skills and ability to learn electronic health records, online government benefit systems, Microsoft Office applications, and other required technology.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive medical, financial, and personal information.
Ability to work independently and effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team, collaborating with internal departments and external agencies.
Ability to work respectfully and professionally with people experiencing mental health conditions, substance use disorders, financial hardship, homelessness, disability, or other significant life challenges.
Strong client-service, advocacy, problem-solving, critical-thinking, documentation, prioritization, and professional-boundary skills.
Commitment to person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services; demonstrate patience, empathy, professionalism, and respect.
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurability under Kanza’s automobile insurance requirements when driving is an essential function.
Ability to perform routine office functions, including prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone communication, and documentation; travel between locations; occasionally lift and carry office materials; and interact with clients in office and community settings.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, business, public administration, or a related field.
Previous experience in behavioral health, social services, health care, public benefits, eligibility determination, case management, insurance, or a related field.
Experience assisting individuals with Medicaid/KanCare, Medicare, Social Security, disability benefits, SNAP, housing assistance, or other public benefit programs.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Meet with clients to identify potential eligibility for public benefits and community resources, and assist with applications, renewals, recertifications, documentation, agency requests, and benefit-related correspondence.
Help clients obtain and maintain health coverage and other benefits needed to access care; collaborate with treatment teams when coverage or financial barriers interfere with services.
Develop and maintain relationships with benefit agencies and community organizations, and provide clients and staff with accurate information about eligibility resources.
Explain benefit programs and processes clearly, advocate within the scope of the role, identify barriers, and refer clients to appropriate legal, advocacy, governmental, or community resources when needed.
Document client contacts, referrals, applications, assistance, and follow-up; track deadlines and application outcomes; and communicate relevant information to authorized treatment team members while maintaining confidentiality.
Protect confidential information and comply with HIPAA, applicable laws, Kanza policies, regulatory requirements, and required training obligations.
Serve as an internal resource to Kanza and Health Department staff on insurance, public benefits, eligibility, renewals, coverage barriers, and financial assistance programs.
Verify Medicaid/KanCare, Medicare, and commercial insurance eligibility; identify coverage changes and uninsured or underinsured clients; assist with eligibility-related claim denials and coverage issues; and support accurate payer information in the EHR.
Manage and maintain organizational payer enrollment with Medicaid/KanCare, Medicare, commercial insurers, and other applicable payers, including applications, revalidations, recredentialing, and changes of information.
Track payer enrollment status, effective dates, deadlines, and supporting documents; coordinate with Revenue Cycle, Finance, Operations, and clinical leadership; maintain enrollment records; and escalate issues that could affect billing or reimbursement.
Assist with payer enrollment and credentialing activities for new programs, locations, or service changes, and support provider enrollment and credentialing processes as assigned.
Travel to Kanza locations and community partner sites as needed for client assistance, outreach, and coordination; follow organizational travel and vehicle policies.