Specialty Navigator II

UnitedHealth Group•Norwood, MA

10h•$18 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. Reporting to and working under the general direction of the Supervisor(s) and Manager of the department, reviews complex referral requests and evaluates and assigns appropriate specialists for the patient. Works with patients and providers to understand services being requested. Interviews patients as needed to obtain full understanding of what information is being requested. Works closely with Specialty Nurses to ensure clinical handoffs are safe and appropriate. Coordinates care both within Atrius Health and Reliant and with external partners.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED
1+ years of experience scheduling provider appointments
Strong problem solving and complex patient management skills
Must be able to respond knowledgeably to a wide range of patient issues for every contracted and non-contracted payers, including government and non-government payers
Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are guided by general instructions and practices requiring some interpretation.
May make recommendations for solving problems of moderate complexity and importance.
Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation using direct observation, knowledge and skills based on general precedents.
Independence of Action: Ability to follow precedents and procedures.
May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines.
Seeks assistance when confronted with difficult and/or unpredictable situations.
Work progress is monitored by supervisor/manager.
Written Communications: Ability to summarize and communicate in English moderately complex information in varied written formats to internal and external customers.
Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and communicate complex verbal information in English to medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.
Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate full working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in small teams to improve the operations of immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members.
All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience as a Medical Assistant

Responsibilities

Reviews referral information from clinicians for pertinent information regarding tests, consultations, and procedures.
Verifies demographics and insurance information.
Reviews referral information from work queue for pertinent information regarding referral requests.
Reviews each external referral for opportunity to convert to internal referral and reviews options with patients.
Redirect patients with managed care products appropriately ensuring clinical handoff is safe using expertise of specialty nurses.
Ensures adequate information is obtained and relayed when care is moved.
Promotes the Atrius Health System of Care by highlighting internal providers and their expertise.
As needed, places orders to start the referral process for the PCP on behalf of patients who have booked appointments and call for the referral.
Researches the visit notes to determine if a referral was intended as well as processing referrals for follow-up or annual visits that require a referral.
Schedules patients for tests, consultations, services and procedures with other departments, local private offices, and/or outside vendors/providers.
Answers phone calls, faxed requests and other inquires relating to referrals and communicates with the physicians and clinicians to acquire authorization or to inform them of patient issues or clinical paperwork needed.
Research questions/concerns from patients regarding bills and determines if issue is related to the referral process.
Assists in resolving billing and denied referral matters as they relate to the referral process.
Refers patients to appropriate staff (e.g., patient account representatives) for billing issues related to insurance benefits and services covered under the benefits plan.
Works in collaboration with the person designated as the Practice’s Benefits Coordinator to maintain cost control, ensure that services provided are within benefit plan guidelines, and that necessary policies and procedures are followed when dealing with non-preferred providers/vendors.
May coordinate second opinion requests.
Works with supervisors to ensure patients are receiving timely responses and detailed answers to their complex questions.
Effectively deescalates issues with upset patients and practices.
Uses advanced listening techniques to understand the issue and give patients options as they are available.
Escalates to supervisors only as needed.
Supports roles within the Navigator.
Trains and teaches as needed.
Participates in problem solving activities, focusing on productivity and quality.
Works with supervisors to ensure continuous improvement of the department.
If needed, contacts appropriate parties to obtain referral authorizations and verify coverage (e.g., the Authorization Services Unit (ASU), National Imaging Associates (NIA) or individual insurance companies).
Certain departments may also need to contact additional outside agencies for approval (e.g., American Imaging Management or Med Solutions).
Conduct detailed reviews of specialty referral requests in collaboration with clinical team members to ensure alignment with organizational referral guidelines.
Serve as a primary point of contact for patients regarding specialty referral policies, providing clear, compassionate guidance.
Manage complex patient interactions related to referral decisions, effectively de‑escalating concerns while maintaining adherence to clinical and organizational standards.
Accesses only the minimum necessary protected health information (PHI) for the performance of job duties.
Actively protects the confidentiality and privacy of all protected health information they access in all its forms (written, verbal, and electronic, etc.) taking reasonable precautions to prohibit unauthorized access.
Complies with all Atrius Health and departmental privacy policies, procedures and protocols.
Follows HIPAA privacy guidelines without deviation when handling protected health information.
Performs other duties as assigned.