Virtual Utilization Review Specialist

Customer Obsession: Consistently provide exceptional experiences for our clients, patients, and colleagues by understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations.

Embracing New Ideas: Continuously innovate by embracing emerging technology and fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation.

Striving for Excellence: Execute at a high level by demonstrating our “Best in KLAS” Ensemble Difference Principles and consistently delivering outstanding results.

Bonus Incentives

Paid Certifications

Tuition Reimbursement

Comprehensive Benefits

Career Advancement

This position pays between on experience

Utilizes proactive triggers (diagnoses, cost criteria, and complications) to identify potential over/under utilization of services

Initiates appropriate referral to physician advisor in a timely manner

Understands proper utilization of health care resources and assists with identifying barriers to patient progress and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team

Collaborates with financial clearance center, patient access, financial counselors and/or business office regarding billing issues related to third party payers

Conducts medical necessity review of all admissions.

Utilizes approved clinical review criteria to determine medical necessity for admissions including appropriate patient status and continued stay reviews, possibly from an offsite location

Provides inpatient and observation (if indicated) clinical reviews for commercial carriers to the Financial Clearance Center (FCC) within one business day of admission

Communicates all medical necessity review outcomes to in-house care management staff and relevant parties as needed

Collaborates with the in-house staff and/or physician to clarify information, obtain needed documentation, present opportunities and educate regarding appropriate level of care

Collaborates with the financial clearance center, patient access, financial counselors, and/or business office regarding billing issues related to third party payers

Coordinates the P2P process with the physician or physician advisor, FCC, Revenue Cycle team when necessary and when assigned and maintains documentation relevant to the appeal process.

Maintains appropriate information on file to minimize denial rate

Assist in recording denial updates; overturned days and monitor and report denial trends that are noted

Monitor for readmissions

Demonstrates active collaboration with other members of the health care team to achieve the outcomes management goals including CMS indicators

Accurately records data for statistical entry and submits information within required time frame

Responsible for ConnectCare and ADT work queues assigned to VUR for revenue cycle workflow

Accurately records data for statistical entry and submits information within required time frame

Documentation will reflect all work and communication related to the FCC, payor, physician, physician advisor and in-house care management

Second-level physician reviews will be sent as required and responses/actions reflected in documentation

Prioritizes patient reviews based on situational analysis, functional assessment, medical record review, and application of clinical review criteria

Collaborates with the in-house care manager Maintains rapport and communication with the in-house care manager Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assignment

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures

Directs physician and patient communication regarding non-coverage of benefits

Maintains positive, open communication with the physicians, nurses, multidisciplinary team members and administration

Educates hospital and medical staff regarding utilization review program.

Maintains a calm, rational, professional demeanor when dealing with others, even in situations involving conflict or crisis

Voicemail, Skype, and email will be utilized and answered in timely fashion.

Hospital provided communication devices will be used during work hours.

Staff is expected to respond and/or acknowledge communication from the FCC via approved communication guidelines and standardized service-line agreements

Staff must be available as designated for meetings or training, onsite or online, unless prior arrangements are made

Works collaboratively with peers to achieve departmental goals in daily work as evidenced by appropriate and timely communication which is respectful and clear.

Sensitive to workload of peers and shares responsibilities, fills in and offers to help

Actively participates in departmental process improvement team; planning, implementation, and evaluation of activities

Provides back-up support to other departmental staff as needed

Complies with FCC and department policies and procedure, including confidentiality and patient’s rights.

Maintains clinical competency and current knowledge of regulatory and payer requirements to perform job responsibilities medical necessity criteria, MS-DRGs, POA).

Actively participates in departmental meetings and activities.

Participates in FCC and community committees as assigned.

Actively participates in conferences, committees, and task forces as directed by the FCC division.

Associates may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience; Specialty/Major: Nursing or related field

Current unrestricted LPN or RN license required; RN compact license preferred

Three years nursing experience in an acute care environment required

Utilization review/discharge planning experience preferred

Recent experience or working knowledge of medical necessity review criteria preferred

Current working knowledge of quality improvement processes

This is a remote role which requires access to high speed internet

Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills in interactions with physicians, payors, and health care team colleagues

Commitment to exceptional customer service at all times

Communicate ideas and thoughts effectively verbally and in writing

Strong clinical assessment, organization and problem-solving skills

Ability to assess and identify appropriate resources, internal and community, on assigned caseload, and to work collaboratively with health care team, providers, and payors to achieve the desired patient, quality, and financial outcomes

Ability to prioritize, organize information, and complete multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment

Resourceful and able to work independently 

Innovation

Work-Life Flexibility

Leadership

Purpose + Values