Health Attorney

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-income New Yorkers for more than 170 years.  CSS’s Health Initiatives Department runs a number of statewide programs that help over

100,000 New Yorkers find and use their health insurance or otherwise access health care annually. In October 2018, CSS launched New York State’s first health insurance ombudsman program targeting the needs of people with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders, Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP).  CHAMP operates statewide through a toll-free live-answer helpline and in partnership with five community-based organizations and three specialist organizations.  The goal of CHAMP is to help consumers navigate and secure mental health and substance use disorder benefits through their health insurance plans. 

CSS seeks to hire a Health Attorney who who will provide consumer assistance to New Yorkers with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders, as well as their family members and

health care providers.  Job duties will include:

Job Description:

·      Respond to live calls from consumers, family members and providers on the CHAMP Helpline.

·      Provide information, education, advice, and navigational services to consumers and providers to help them successfully utilize health insurance and/or care.

·      Write appeals and complaints and provide hearing representation to clients appealing denials of

health insurance coverage.

·      Develop cutting edge legal strategies for addressing the health coverage needs of the population.

·      Provide trainings and presentations to beneficiaries, 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 clients and work closely with senior CSS staff and other appropriate stake holders.

·      Other responsibilities identified by Supervisor.

Job Requirements:

·      Graduate degree in law required.

·      Experience providing assistance to consumers and/or advocates on health insurance and health care access issues, and/or providing assistance to people with mental health and substance use disorders, preferred.

·      Ability to speak, type and write clearly, concisely, persuasively and keep detailed notes of all

communications.

·      Demonstrated expertise in conducting legal research and analysis.

·      Written and spoken fluency in Spanish or a language other than English is strongly preferred.