Health Counselor

The Community Service Society (CSS) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that has been

at the forefront of public policy innovations that support low- and moderate-income New Yorkers for more than 170 years. CSS’s Health Initiatives Department runs a number of statewide programs that help New Yorkers find and use health insurance or otherwise access health care, including Community Health Advocates (CHA); the Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP); the Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN); and several enrollment assistance programs.

These services are free for New York healthcare consumers and small businesses. 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. CHA serves over 35,000 New Yorkers a

year—saving them over $36 million annually in health costs—through a live-answer helpline and a network of advocates at community-based organizations across the state.

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 Description:

• File complaints 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.
• Provide information, education, advice, and navigational services to consumers on how to successfully use health insurance and/or access care.
• Help consumers and caregivers apply for non-Marketplace coverage options.
• Respond to live calls from consumers, family members, or providers on the CHA Helpline.
• Draft resources for consumers, family members, advocates, providers, and others, as needed.
• Prepare training materials and fact sheets, as needed.
• 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.
• Other responsibilities as needed.

Job Requirements

• Graduate degree in law, health policy, social work, or other relevant discipline preferred.
• A minimum of one year’s experience assisting consumers and/or advocates on health insurance, or healthcare access, issues is 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.
• 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 $75,200.00 and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage provided by 1199. Community Service Society provides a comprehensive employee benefits package including life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance, 403b retirement savings plan, defined benefit retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits plan, EAP, and more in addition to paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal days.

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

Salary and Benefits: This position is union represented by local 1199 SEIU with an annual salary of $75,200.00 and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage provided by 1199. Community Service Society provides a comprehensive employee benefit package including life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance, 403b retirement savings plan, defined benefit retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefit plan, EAP, and more in addition to paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal days.