Description

UPMC Health Plan is hiring a limited part-time Clinical Appeals Coordinator. This position coordinates and completes all medically necessary provider appeals. The functions include reviewing cases for medical necessity and coordination with the Medical Directors. The provider appeal clinical review is for all levels of services and all lines of business.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Network Development, Claims, Community Care Behavioral Health, Provider Services, Member Services, Medical Management, Benefit Configuration, Compliance, Enrollment, Pharmacy Services, Reimbursement and Coding departments to ensure review processes are understood and meet Health Plan strategy for appropriateness of provider reimbursement as well as quality of care and services.
• Review and investigate appeals from providers where decisions by the health plan Special Investigation Unit audit process have impacted reimbursement. Determine uphold or overturn of decision.
• Perform clinical education and mentor staff members as necessary.
• Respond to providers in writing with the results of appeal review in accordance with Department standards and all applicable regulatory requirements. Telephonic outreach to providers as appropriate to communicate decision.
• Interpret Medical Director notes and summarize into correspondence for provider and/or facility.
• Review, investigate and complete appeals related to medical necessity, appropriate level of service and benefit coverage for all lines of business in required timeframes.
• Report trends to management and Network Development for improvement opportunities and provider education.
• Review and approve Administrative appeals, including retro authorizations and requests that meet medical criteria. (i.e. private duty nursing, DME, behavioral health, experimental and investigational, potential benefit exceptions, cases requiring prior authorization, etc. )
• Manage escalated/expedited provider appeals as required.
• Assist with identifying continuing education needs and opportunities; maintain continuing education and appropriate CEUS required for RN licensure.
• Review first and second level appeals for medical necessity, completes a comprehensive medical necessity packet summarizing clinical facts for the Medical Director review. Coordinates timely case review by a Health Plan Medical Director.
• Assist in the creation, enhancement and implementation of process workflows for the Department.
• Create correspondence for review prior to finalizing-outreach to providers as needed to obtain and review additional clinical documentation.
• Track and trend appeals related to medical necessity, coding issues and other administrative reasons.
• Prepare physician consultant review packets for designated specialized services (i.e. Private Duty Nursing) outline case and peer review needs
• Prepare comprehensive Independent Review Entity Packets, including clinical justification of the Medical Director's decision which includes all applicable points from the specific policy, Evidence of Coverage statement and/or documentation submitted to which the decision pertains.
• May require weekend rotation for working expedited provider appeals.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with a minimum of two years direct patient care experience required
• Two years of Health Insurance experience as a Registered Nurse in a Utilization Management/Medical Management role strongly preferred.
• BSN preferred
• Experience with accountability for regulatory compliance for entities such as NCQA, CMS, Department of Public Welfare, Department of Health and Pennsylvania Insurance Department preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills required
• Direct experience with physicians or facilities regarding health insurance reviews and reimbursement preferred
• Working knowledge of insurance benefit packages preferred
• The ability to work in a fast paced insurance environment and to handle multiple priorities/projects in a professional manner required
• Working knowledge of ICD-9/ICD-10 and CPT classifications and coding of diagnoses and procedures preferred
• Proficiency in computer skills required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians and other health care professionals
• Strong organizational and problem solving skills with ability to make decisions independently

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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