Clinical Utilization Specialist

Why Join Unison Health?

Unison Health provides a mission-driven work environment focused on staff support, professional growth, and work-life balance. We are committed to helping our employees thrive while making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. For over 50 years, Unison Health has proudly supported individuals, families, and communities across Ohio. From behavioral health and substance abuse treatment to primary healthcare, we are dedicated to our mission:
Making Lives Better.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) Starting at 16 Days/Year
• Medical with federal minimum deductibles
• Dental and vision coverage
• Retirement planning and employer contribution

Position Summary:

The Clinical Utilization (CU) Specialist assists with the coordination and administration of the organization’s prior authorization process. This role is responsible for coordinating with clinical staff and preparing comprehensive clinical summaries to support initial and ongoing prior authorization requests. The role also entails tracking open prior authorization requests, outcomes, and trends related to prior authorizations. The CU specialist supports the Quality Improvement department by assisting with monitoring service delivery trends, identifying patterns and gaps in care or documentation, and supporting ongoing quality improvement efforts.

Additionally, this position provides education, guidance, and consultation to clinical staff regarding best documentation practices, regulatory compliance, and quality standards to promote consistent, high-quality client care.

Key Responsibilities & Role Highlights:

• Review clinical documentation and prepare comprehensive clinical summaries to support initial and
  ongoing prior authorization requests.
• Collaborate closely with Billing to ensure authorization requests are complete, submitted within
  required time frames and followed through to final determination.
• Monitor and track authorizations, including approvals, denials, expiration dates, requested units,
  approved units and required follow-up.
• Track authorization denials and appeals, including outcomes and trends, and assist in gathering the
  clinical documentation and supporting information needed for appeals.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of authorization requirements, processes, timelines, and
  documentation standards across Medicaid managed care plans and other payers.
• Maintain and analyze data related to authorizations, denials, appeals, turnaround times, and payer
  trends to identify challenges, monitor performance, and support process improvement.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with clinical leaders and staff to efficiently
  obtain information needed for authorization requests, clarify clinical information, and ensure
  documentation supports the services being requested.
• As capacity allows, assist with chart reviews and other utilization review activities related to
  documentation, medical necessity, service utilization, and payer requirements.
• Identify recurring documentation gaps, payer concerns, and process barriers and collaborate with
  Shelby, clinical leadership, Billing, and Quality Improvement to develop and implement solutions.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a mental health-related field, business management, or health care administration preferred. An associate’s degree with relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in the mental health field; experience in Quality Improvement or process improvement is preferred.
• Licensed LSW, LPC, LISW, LPCC, RN preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel (including data entry, formulas, and pivot tables).
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong knowledge of…