Health Counselor

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions. CSS runs a number of consumer health assistance programs that help people enroll in and use health insurance. These services are free. It also coordinates the Health Care for All New York Campaign, a coalition of 170 groups dedicated to securing quality, affordable coverage for all New Yorkers. The Community Health Advocates (CHA) program provides health insurance and access to care assistance to over 30,000 New Yorkers annually through a live answer CHA Helpline and a network of 25 community-based organizations. The CHA Helpline handles approximately 8,000 calls per year.

CHA seeks to hire a Health Counselor to provide consumer assistance to people who need help navigating their health coverage, appealing denials of care, accessing care, and negotiating medical debt.

Job Responsibilities:

• File grievances, complaints, appeals, and provide hearing and/or appeal representation to consumers contesting denials of health insurance coverage.
• Represent consumers in debt negotiations with providers and debt collectors or otherwise obtain financial assistance for consumers whose cases cannot be solved through appeal.
• Assist with document collection and evaluation for prior authorization requests, peer-to-peer reviews, and appeals.
• Provide information, education, advice, and navigational services to consumers on how to successfully use health insurance and/or access care.
• Maintain thorough case records of services provided, advice, appeals ,and/or referrals.
• Help identify systemic trends or practices that adversely affect consumers and work closely with senior CSS staff and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Draft resources for consumers, family members, advocates, providers, and others, as needed.
• Prepare training materials and fact sheets, as needed.
• Other responsibilities identified by Supervisor.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate degree in law, health policy, social work, biology, or other relevant disciplines preferred.
• A minimum of one year’s experience providing assistance to consumers and/or advocates on health insurance, or health care access, issues preferred.
• Outstanding research, writing, and oral advocacy skills required.
• Experience with customer service and written advocacy preferred.
• Ability to speak, type, and write clearly, concisely, and persuasively and keep detailed notes of all communications required.
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail required.
• Must be mission driven.
• Written and spoken fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Competency with Office Suite and Salesforce database preferred.

Salary and Benefits: This position is union represented by local 1199 SEIU with an annual salary of $77,456.00 and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage provided by 1199. Community Service Society provides an employee benefit package including 403b retirement savings plan, defined benefit retirement plan, commuter benefit plan, EAP, and more in addition to a robust paid time off policy.

CSS currently offers a hybrid work environment requiring onsite work at CSS’ office at least two days per week and three days per week remote work.

• **Interested applicants should provide a cover letter and resume at the time of application submission***