Behavioral Health Care Advocate (Utilization Review) - Telecommute Details

UnitedHealth Group - Latham, NY

Employment Type : Full-Time

Combine two of the fastest-growing fields on the planet with a culture of performance, collaboration and opportunity and this is what you get. Leading edge technology in an industry that is improving the lives of millions. Here, innovation is not about another gadget; it is about making health care data available wherever and whenever people need it, safely and reliably. There is no room for error. If you are looking for a better place to use your passion and your desire to drive change, this is the place to be. It's an opportunity to do your life's best work.(sm)

As a Behavioral Health Care Advocate you will be responsible for case management and utilization review of behavioral health and substance abuse cases. You'll have a direct impact on the lives of our members as you recommend and manage the appropriate level of care throughout the entire treatment plan.

What makes your clinical career greater with UnitedHealth Group? You can improve the health of others and help heal the health care system. You will work within an incredible team culture; a clinical and business collaboration that is learning and evolving every day. And, when you contribute, you'll open doors for yourself that simply do not exist in any other organization, anywhere.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Focusing on initial concurrent reviews for higher levels of care, ie: Inpatient, Residential and Partial hospital admissions
  • Inpatient admission for psychiatric and chemical dependency patients via telephone
  • Making patient assessments and determining appropriate levels of care
  • Obtaining information from providers on outpatient requests for treatment. Facility Based Care Advocates only work with providers for outpatient request prior to discharge from inpatient, residential and partial levels of care
  • Determining if additional clinical treatment sessions are needed
  • Managing inpatient and outpatient (Intermediate levels of care, ie: Residential and Partial) mental health/substance abuse cases throughout the entire treatment plan
  • Administering benefits and reviewing treatment plans
  • Coordinating benefits and transitions between various areas of care
  • Identifying ways to add value to treatment plans and consulting with facility staff or outpatient care providers on those ideas
  • Overseeing the facility-based care experience


You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

  • Licensed clinician with a Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or Marriage or Family Counseling, or Licensed Ph.D., or an RN with 2+ years of experience in behavioral health
  • Licenses must be active and unrestricted to practice at the independent level in your state of residence
  • 3+ years of experience in a related mental health environment
  • Proficient Microsoft skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Dedicated office space and access to high speed internet service

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Inpatient experience
  • Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse
  • Experience working in an environment that required coordination of benefits and utilization of multiple groups and resources for patients
  • Experience working with children/adolescents
  • Experience working with the Medicaid patient population
  • Experience working in a remote position
  • Clinical license in the state of New York


To protect the health and safety of our workforce, patients and communities we serve, UnitedHealth Group and its affiliate companies require all employees to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status prior to beginning employment. In addition, some roles and locations require full COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, as an essential job function. UnitedHealth Group adheres to all federal, state and local COVID-19 vaccination regulations as well as all client COVID-19 vaccination requirements and will obtain the necessary information from candidates prior to employment to ensure compliance. Candidates must be able to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Failure to meet the vaccination requirement may result in rescission of an employment offer or termination of employment

Careers with Optum. Here's the idea. We built an entire organization around one giant objective; make health care work better for everyone. So when it comes to how we use the world's large accumulation of health-related information, or guide health and lifestyle choices or manage pharmacy benefits for millions, our first goal is to leap beyond the status quo and uncover new ways to serve. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, brings together some of the greatest minds and most advanced ideas on where health care has to go in order to reach its fullest potential. For you, that means working on high performance teams against sophisticated challenges that matter. Optum, incredible ideas in one incredible company and a singular opportunity to do your life's best work.(sm)

Colorado, Connecticut or Nevada Residents Only: The salary range for Colorado residents is $54,400 to $97,000. The salary range for Connecticut / Nevada residents is $60,000 to $106,700. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

*All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy


Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Job Keywords: Care Advocate, Behavioral Care Advocate, Behavioral Health, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Family Counseling, Licensed Ph.D., RN, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Managed Care, Crisis Line, Medicaid, utilization review, New York, NY, telecommute

Posted on : 2 years ago