Patient Benefits Coordinator II - Social Security

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program•Boston, MA

7d•$23 - $36•Hybrid

About The Position

Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. Over 10,000 homeless individuals are cared for by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program each year. We are committed to ensuring that every one of these individuals has access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer treatment. Our clinicians, case managers, and behavioral health professionals work in more than 30 locations to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens. From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity; centering dignity, compassion, mutual respect and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down barriers, including systemic racism which harms us all. We provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate, incorporating social determinants of health, with the goal of breaking down the physical and systemic barriers that our patients face.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency required
Associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field and/or have attained the requisite skills from prior work experience preferred (1-2 years experience in a patient benefits or health insurance support capacity) required
Ability to work with minimal supervision successfully
Strong computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite including Excel

Nice To Haves

2 years of benefits experience in a clinical environment preferred
Familiarity with EPIC (electronic medical record) preferred
Knowledge of health insurance and entitlement benefits programs preferred
Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred

Responsibilities

Assist patients with their Social Security paperwork including initial application, reconsiderations, and appeals
Use the online Social Security portal to submit applications and send in supporting documentation whenever possible, register as a representative with the Social Security Administration and follow through on assigned caseload
Outreach to various shelter sites across Greater Boston, assisting patients with Social Security applications and relevant follow-up
Meet weekly for case conferencing with the internal Social Security team and be prepared to discuss outstanding cases
Coordinate with patient’s care team to best prepare Social Security applications and appeals
Assist patients and troubleshoot issues with applications for emergency assistance programs (EAEDC)
Work with Disability Determination Services (DDS) and their homeless liaison to ensure that patients are receiving timely decisions and follow up on their applications, work with the Social Security Administration’s local Public Relations department to follow up on submitted applications and identify best practices
Attend quarterly meetings with DDS, attend quarterly meetings with SSA and the internal team
Provide backup at shelter sites by greeting patients at the front desk and direct them throughout the clinic according to their needs
Successfully complete MassHealth Certified Application Counselor exam (CAC) within 60 days of hire and maintain active certification status