Skip to main content

Your dedication
helps them

share the love.

Enable extraordinary moments

Utilization Management Specialist - Mental Health - Scheduled On Call (Remote - Local residency required)

Primary Location Portland, Oregon Facility Name East Interstate Medical Offices Schedule Call-in/On-Call Shift Day Salary $44.42 - $57.43 / year
Job Number 1334995 Date posted 05/30/2025
Submit Interest
Job Summary:

Ensure consistent application and management of Kaiser Permanente mental health and chemical dependency benefits.

Essential Responsibilities:


  • Benefit payment authorizations. Manage behavioral health benefits by providing medical necessity determinations. Medical necessity determinations are completed by gathering the most current clinical information from the assessing/treating provider and applying the approved Kaiser Permanente medical necessity criteria to determine what can be authorized within the benefit provisions. Medical necessity criteria are used for all pre-authorization, concurrent review and post-service requests. Authorizations must be for the most clinically appropriate, least restrictive, most cost effective and within standards of care to safely treat the member.

  • Member contact. Member contact may occur for a variety of reasons which can include benefit explanations, resource identification and appointment scheduling.

  • Payment denials. Kaiser policies are followed for all benefit payment denials. UM coordinator is always available to explain a payment denial to providers and members.

  • Consultations. Consultations are provided to internal and external providers regarding medical necessity interpretation, benefits, covered services, contracted providers and available resources that meet the clinical needs of the Kaiser member.

  • Fraud and abuse. Responsibility for ensuring the appropriate expenditure of healthcare dollars in accordance with rules and regulations set forth in Kaiser policies, licensing and credentialing entities and all state and federal laws and regulations.

  • Ensuring continuity of care by facilitating communication between service providers regarding treatment planning, intervention, outcomes, and recommendations.

  • Care coordination. Ensuring upon discharge from higher levels of care that all members have an appropriate discharge plan within HEIDIS guidelines.

  • On-call rotation as assigned to cover pre-authorizations for non-business hours.
Basic Qualifications:
Experience


  • Minimum three (3) years of experience working directly or indirectly with individuals with mental health or chemical dependency conditions, which would include diagnosing, treating or managing.

  • Minimum two (2) years of experience in utilization management and discharge planning.

Education

  • Masters degree in mental health, social work or closely related field from an accredited institution.
License, Certification, Registration
  • N/A
Additional Requirements:

  • Understanding of medical necessity criteria and its application.
  • Knowledge of DSM-IV diagnoses, community standards of treatment and treatment interventions for mental health, addictions and co-occurring disorders.
  • Familiarity with community resources.
  • Knowledge of how behavioral health benefits work.
  • Good clinical judgment in assessing the clinical needs of patients and matching those needs to the appropriate level of care.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop successful interpersonal relationships and earn the respect of physicians, nurses, therapists and other personnel.
  • Able to participate as a team member, but demonstrates high level of self-motivation and ability to work independently.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent problem solving abilities, detail oriented, and very organized.
  • Use medical criteria for UM decision-making and education with patients, providers, and community providers.
  • Ability to effectively utilize computerized medical records.
  • Ability to use Microsoft Office software.
  • Ability to use analytical software.
  • Ability to collect, analyze, and report statistically meaningful quality and utilization data.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; presentation skills; analytical problem-solving skills; well developed project management skills; and competent quantitative skills.
Preferred Qualifications:

  • Minimum five (5) years of experience working directly or indirectly with individuals with mental health or chemical dependency conditions, which would include diagnosing, treating or managing.
  • Current, unrestricted license/certificate in state where job is assigned:
  • Oregon Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Psychologist (PhD or PsyD) or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).
  • Washington Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Psychologist (PhD or PsyD) or Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP).
  • Understanding of Milliman Criteria, ASAM Criteria, and both Kaiser and community UM processes and procedures.
  • Knowledge of Kaiser Permanente resources, Behavioral Health system and benefits.
  • Understanding of insurance operations and applying benefits.
  • Ability to apply medical necessity criteria solely on clinical relevance and not basing decisions on financial outcomes.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with providers within contractual relationships and develop positive working relationships.
  • Ability to issue and explain adverse benefit determinations.
Primary Location: Oregon,Portland,East Interstate Medical Offices Scheduled Weekly Hours: 1 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri Working Hours Start: 08:00 AM Working Hours End: 05:00 PM Job Schedule: Call-in/On-Call Job Type: Standard Worker Location: Remote Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: NUE-NW-01|NUE|Non Union Employee Job Level: Individual Contributor Department: Interstate - East Medical Ofcs - Mental Health/Resource-Admin - 1008 Pay Range: $44.42 - $57.43 / year Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.

Submit Interest

Expected Employee Conduct >

Navigating the Hiring Process

We're here to support you!

Having trouble with your account or have questions on the hiring process?

Please visit the FAQ page on our website for assistance.

Need help with your computer and browser settings?

Please visit the Technical Information page for assistance or reach out to the web manager at kp-hires@kp.org.

Do you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability?

Reasonable accommodations may be available to facilitate access to, or provide modifications to the following:

  • Online Submissions
  • Pre-Hire Assessments
  • Interview Process

If you have a disability-related need for accommodation, please submit your accommodation request and someone will contact you.

Join Our Talent Network
Explore This Location
View Stories and Resources

Jobs For You

You have no recently viewed jobs

You currently have no saved jobs

A Women standing near wall

Join Our Talent Community

Join our Talent Network today to receive email notifications about our career opportunities that match your skills.

Sign Up