Utilization Review Specialist

UnityPoint Health•Cedar Rapids, IA

48d

About The Position

The Utilization Management Specialist in the Behavioral Health Hospital Outpatient Departments serves a key role in coordinating the department's interdisciplinary effort to assess and promote appropriate utilization of health care resources, provision of high-quality health care, optimal clinical outcomes and patient and provider satisfaction. The UM Specialist provides the Utilization Management function for patients admitted to BH HODs effective utilization of resources through ongoing interactions with physicians, third party payers and regulatory agencies. The UM spcialist will also be called upon to provide clinical and nursing expertise and support within the HOD departments, when appropriate. Why UnityPoint Health? At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We're proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members. Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you're in.â¯ Here are just a few: Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program. Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members. Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family. With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together. And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Requirements

State of Iowa Licensed RN
Two years of behavioral health work experience.
Professional communication - written & verbal
Microsoft Office proficiency (Outlook, Word, Excel)
Customer/patient focused
Self-motivated
Ability to work with minimal supervision
Ability to manage priorities/deadlines
Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload
Flexible and adaptable to changing environment
Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Positive attitude with team-oriented approach
Ability to give work direction to non-clinical staff
Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.

Responsibilities

Addresses and monitors length of stay issues and level of care changes for compliance
Documents the case management plan to include: clinical needs, barriers to quality care, effective utilization of resources and pursues denials of payment and referrals in a timely, legible manner.
Collects appropriate data, trends, analyzes and reports on patterns of care, possible avoidable delays in transition, variance from pathways and resource utilization
Communicates effecively with thrird party payers regarding authorization of stay, continued stay reviews, appeals and denial letters.
Provides education and serves as a resource to the multidisciplinary team in regards to level of care and reimbursement issues.
Documents within the electronic medical record including financial notations and letters when appropriate.
Collects appropriate data, trends, analyzes and reports on patterns of care, possible avoidable delays in transition, variance from pathways and resource
Demonstrates a working knowledge of financial and reimbursement processes to facilitate medical cost management, including best practices, effective utilization of resources, linking clinical and financial aspects of care, and access to care and level of care.
Serves as a resource and educator to patient, family, staff and physicians regarding financial aspects of individual patient's resources which may affect the transition of patients through the healthcare system.
Provides education for the individual and family and for the team regarding benefits, utilization of resources, levels of care, and expectations of the transition process throughout settings across the healthcare continuum. Facilitates empowerment of the patient and family in self-management and health care decision-making.