Eligibility Specialist - Rainier Beach (1.0 FTE)

Neighborcare Health•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Eligibility Specialist will enroll uninsured patients into insurance and resource programs for which they are eligible. In this role, they will maximize enrollment into programs in which Neighborcare is a provider, verify and record uninsured patient’s family size and income, and place them on the sliding fee scale if appropriate. The Eligibility Specialist will work in partnership and joint accountability with other team members to achieve Neighborcare’s Mission and Guiding Principles and goals. Since 1968, Neighborcare Health has been removing barriers to health care for our neighbors. We believe everyone deserves a place to call their health care home, where a team of medical, dental and mental health professionals work in collaboration with each patient to develop a personal health improvement plan. We are one of the largest providers of primary medical, dental and behavioral health care services in the Seattle area serving low-income and uninsured families and individuals, seniors on fixed incomes, immigrants, and people experiencing homelessness. Each year we care for nearly 60,000 patients at our nearly 30 non-profit medical, dental and school-based clinics. We ask everyone to pay what they can, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay. Our clinics are located in neighborhoods where health disparities are the greatest, and our care teams, who speak over 55 languages and dialects, are as diverse as our patients. No matter who you are, or where you come from, regardless of your insurance, income or immigration status, you are welcome at Neighborcare Health.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent. Related work/volunteer experience may be substituted for education.
WA Affordable Care Act Navigator certification (within the first three months of employment).
Complete quarterly requirements/evaluations and maintain certification.
Stay current on Public Insurance/benefits/programs by attending on-site/off-site trainings and meetings.
Ability to travel to Seattle Clinics.
Valid Driver's License and Automobile Insurance, or the ability to travel to all NCH locations, and other community partners around the city in a timely manner.

Nice To Haves

2-years outreach and enrollment experience.
Experience serving populations experiencing poverty, homelessness, poor English proficiency, and other challenging ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural circumstances.
Ability to work beyond NCH sites, independently and as part of a team that displays sound decision making in the absence of onsite supervisory oversight.

Responsibilities

Conduct in-depth interviews with applicants to determine eligibility for various programs including the Neighborcare Health sliding fee scale; interpret rules and regulations and explain rights and responsibilities of clients; gather, organize and document large amounts of information.
Solicit and verify pertinent eligibility information, i.e. residence, citizenship, family size, income and other financial resources; assist applicants in obtaining information, resolving discrepancies, and completing applications.
Determine initial and renewal eligibility for public sponsored assistance in accordance with established policies and procedures; complete data entry, research policies and rules to obtain answers to questions around applicant’s or client’s eligibility.
Maintain working knowledge of a variety of health plans by attending trainings and meetings, and conveying the options to clients.
Collaborate with Front Desk staff, call center and Insurance Verification Team to identify and meet with uninsured patients likely to qualify for insurance coverage.
Assist insured patients with completing renewals and adding changes to their plans ensuring they are eligible to be seen by Neighborcare providers. Refer clients to necessary resources in order to complete the application.
Maintain a system for tracking the progress and outcomes of applications, as well as client records, statistical data, and other information as needed.
Assist patients with changes to their plans and/or refer them to necessary resources in order to complete applications for services of which they may qualify.