Financial Assistance Specialist, Lead

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Financial Assistance Supervisor, the Lead Financial Assistance Specialist is responsible for implementation and conduct of Minnesota and Federal statutes in addition to departmental procedures in determining the eligibility of clients for all public assistance or medical assistance programs. The Lead Financial Assistance Specialist exercises professional judgment, critical thinking, and in-depth analysis of information collected from clientele and multiple data sources in order to assess determine and manage program eligibility.

• Determines client eligibility for all income maintenance programs, including all medical, cash, food, and emergency programs based upon the information gathered and analyzed and program eligibility requirements & guidelines.
• Is fully trained and authorized to determine eligibility for medical programs, and able to perform all tasks to function fully within the medical eligibility system.
• Analyzes Private Health Insurance to determine cost effectiveness and authorizes reimbursement of premiums.
• Represents Financial Assistance Specialists on outside committees and work groups
• Assists the client on their behalf in resolving health plan problems, investigating issues and providing resolution to questions from health plan staff, health care providers, plan enrollees, and the State.
• Independently authorizes expenditures of State and Federal dollars.
• Explains application procedures and timelines. Conducts an initial interview, and gathers all relevant and necessary information needed to assess client needs, status and financial situation.
• Must be able to educate clients regarding all Public Assistance programs, and in addition, all health programs associated with MNsure to direct clients to proper program even if beyond the scope of the Financial Assistance Specialist’s ability to authorize eligibility.
• Analyzes complex documents such as annuities, trusts, insurance policies, burials, and income tax forms, and perform asset assessments as required to determine eligibility for multiple programs across multiple systems.
• Explains complex policies, rules, and procedures for clients, other individuals or groups; explains client rights and responsibilities; provides mandated orientation overviews; functions as an ongoing resource for clients.
• Calculates over payments, establishes claims and imposes sanctions when required. Identifies and initiates fraud referrals and investigations.
• Independently makes initial disability determination.
• Makes referrals to and collaborates with inside/outside agencies when appropriate.
• Conducts complex case management responsibilities, including programs beyond the core eligibility function, and makes ongoing eligibility determination reviews.
• Prepares testimony, case documentation, financial calculations and exhibits for hearings. Attends and testifies in court hearings.
• Participates in professional staff development to remain current regarding trends and legislative changes in public assistance program requirements or department procedural changes.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level of type.

• High school diploma or GED and one year of experience providing client/customer service

or

• Associates degree

All applications will be screened for minimum qualifications, scored and ranked. The highest ranked candidates meeting minimum qualifications will be recommended for the scored oral examinations (interviews). Final selection for the position will include successful completion of oral interview(s), reference checks, and background investigation.