Benefits Specialist

Job DetailsJob Location: Hiawatha Main Office - Hiawatha, KS 66434Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: High SchoolSalary Range: $23.47 - $32.12 HourlyJob Shift: DayJob Category: Admin - ClericalPOSITION TITLE: Benefits Specialist REPORTS TO: Manager of Health Information and Revenue Cycle, Director of Finance and Operations DIRECT REPORTS: None FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt; Regular Full-Time; Employment-at-Will Position SCHEDULE: Full-time, 40 hours per week, generally Monday through Friday during Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center’s normal hours of operation. Schedule may vary based on client, program, and organizational needs. WORK LOCATION: This position is primarily based at Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center’s Hiawatha, Kansas office. The Benefits Specialist will be required to travel to Kanza’s Holton, Kansas office and other community locations as necessary to meet client and organizational needs. PURPOSE: The Benefits Specialist assists individuals receiving services from Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center with identifying, applying for, maintaining, and understanding public benefits, financial assistance programs, health coverage, and community resources for which they may be eligible. This position serves as an important resource for individuals who may experience barriers to accessing health care, behavioral health treatment, medication, housing, food, transportation, income, or other basic needs. The Benefits Specialist works directly with clients, families when appropriate, Kanza treatment teams, community agencies, government programs, and other organizations to help individuals successfully navigate complex benefit systems. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), Kanza is committed to providing comprehensive, coordinated, person-centered, family-centered, and recovery-oriented behavioral health services. The Benefits Specialist supports the CCBHC model by helping reduce social and financial barriers that may interfere with an individual’s ability to access or remain engaged in behavioral health and physical health services. The position works collaboratively with clinical staff, care coordinators, case managers, medical providers, peer support specialists, and community partners to promote continuity of care and connect individuals to appropriate health and social service resources. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Benefits Screening and Assistance Meet directly with clients to identify potential eligibility for federal, state, and local benefit programs and community resources. Assist clients with understanding and navigating programs that may include: Medicaid/KanCare; Medicare; Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Health insurance and health coverage programs; Prescription medication assistance programs; Housing and rental assistance programs; Utility assistance; Transportation resources; Food and other basic-needs programs; Disability-related resources; and Other financial, medical, or community assistance programs for which the individual may qualify. Help clients complete applications, renewals, recertifications, and other required benefit documentation. Assist clients in gathering necessary supporting documents and understanding deadlines and program requirements. Help clients respond to requests for additional information from benefit agencies. Assist clients with understanding correspondence, eligibility notices, renewal notices, and other benefit-related communications. Provide education regarding the importance of maintaining benefits and completing required renewals or reporting changes when applicable. Refer clients to appropriate legal, advocacy, governmental, or community resources when an issue exceeds the scope of the Benefits Specialist position. 2. CCBHC Care Coordination and Client Support Support Kanza’s CCBHC care coordination responsibilities by helping individuals navigate behavioral health care, physical health care, social services, public assistance programs, and other systems affecting their health and recovery. Work collaboratively with members of the client’s treatment team to identify financial, insurance, housing, food, transportation, or other social needs that may create barriers to treatment. Assist in connecting individuals to resources that support recovery, independence, stability, and successful participation in treatment. Participate in person-centered and family-centered care coordination activities when appropriate and authorized by the client. Coordinate with internal Kanza programs and external community partners to reduce duplication of services and improve continuity of care. Promote timely access to resources and benefits that may assist individuals in obtaining behavioral health services, physical health services, medications, housing, food, transportation, and other necessary supports. Advocate for clients within the scope of the position while promoting client choice, dignity, self-determination, and independence. Maintain awareness of community needs and identify gaps or recurring barriers affecting individuals served by Kanza. Support Kanza’s commitment to providing services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay, place of residence, or other barriers to care. 3. Community Resource Coordination Develop and maintain working relationships with local, state, and federal benefit agencies and community organizations. Maintain current knowledge of available resources throughout Kanza’s service area and surrounding communities. Coordinate, as appropriate, with entities such as: Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF); KanCare managed care organizations; Social Security Administration; Medicare and Medicaid resources; Housing authorities; Food assistance organizations; Local health departments; Hospitals and primary care providers; Aging and disability resource organizations; Transportation providers; Utility assistance programs; and Other social and human service agencies. Provide clients and Kanza staff with accurate and current information regarding community programs and eligibility resources. Participate in community meetings, outreach activities, or resource events as requested. Assist with developing and maintaining an organized resource directory for staff and clients. 4. Client Advocacy and Education Explain benefit programs and processes in clear, understandable language. Help clients develop the skills necessary to independently manage their benefits whenever possible. Provide assistance in a manner that is respectful of each individual’s preferences, culture, abilities, circumstances, and recovery goals. Identify barriers to obtaining benefits and work collaboratively with the client and treatment team to identify reasonable solutions. Support clients in communicating with benefit agencies and other organizations. Provide information regarding appeal or reconsideration processes when benefits are denied and assist clients in locating appropriate advocacy or legal resources when needed. Maintain professional boundaries and avoid making legal, financial, or eligibility determinations outside the scope of the position. 5. Documentation and Follow-Up Complete timely, accurate, and professional documentation of client contacts, referrals, applications, assistance provided, and follow-up activities in accordance with Kanza policy and program requirements. Track benefit applications, renewal deadlines, pending documentation, approvals, denials, and follow-up needs. Follow up with clients and outside agencies as appropriate to assist with continuity of benefits. Maintain accurate records necessary for program reporting, quality improvement, CCBHC requirements, and organizational performance measures. Communicate relevant information to authorized members of the treatment team while maintaining appropriate confidentiality. Assist with tracking trends related to benefits access and barriers affecting Kanza clients. 6. Confidentiality and Compliance Maintain strict confidentiality of client information in accordance with HIPAA, applicable federal and state confidentiality laws, Kanza policies, and professional standards. Obtain appropriate releases of information before communicating with outside agencies or individuals when required. Protect personally identifiable information, financial information, medical information, and other confidential client information. Follow all Kanza policies, procedures, compliance requirements, and ethical standards. Complete required organizational, CCBHC, compliance, privacy, safety, and job-specific training. Maintain documentation and records in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements. 7. Team Collaboration Work collaboratively with Kanza clinicians, case managers, care coordinators, peer support specialists, nursing staff, medical providers, crisis staff, front office staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team. Participate in team meetings, care coordination meetings, case consultations, and other meetings as assigned. Communicate identified barriers or urgent client needs to appropriate treatment team members. Serve as an internal resource to Kanza staff regarding available benefit programs and community resources. Demonstrate professional, respectful, and effective communication with clients, coworkers, community partners, and outside agencies. 8. Travel and Community-Based Responsibilities Maintain the ability to work primarily from the Hiawatha, Kansas office while traveling to the Holton, Kansas office as necessary based on client and organizational needs. Travel throughout Kanza’s service area or to community partner locations when necessary to assist clients or participate in outreach and coordination activities. Maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurability under Kanza’s automobile insurance requirements when driving is an essential function of the position. Follow Kanza policies regarding travel, mileage reimbursement, transportation, safety, and use of personal or agency vehicles.   This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, tasks, or expectations associated with the position. Employees may be required to perform additional duties or responsibilities as assigned by their supervisor or Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center based on client, program, operational, regulatory, or organizational needs.     QualificationsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, business, public administration, or a related field preferred. Previous experience working in behavioral health, social services, health care, public benefits, eligibility determination, case management, insurance, or a related field strongly preferred. Experience assisting individuals with Medicaid/KanCare, Medicare, Social Security, disability benefits, SNAP, housing assistance, or other public benefit programs preferred. Knowledge of community resources and public assistance programs preferred. Ability to learn and understand complex eligibility requirements, application processes, and government benefit systems. Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple client applications and deadlines simultaneously. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to explain complicated information in a clear, patient, and understandable manner. Strong computer skills and ability to learn electronic health records, online government benefit systems, Microsoft Office applications, and other required technology. Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive medical, financial, and personal information. Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team. Ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing mental health conditions, substance use disorders, financial hardship, homelessness, disability, or other significant life challenges. Demonstrated ability to interact respectfully and professionally with individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. Bilingual skills are a plus.   REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: The successful candidate must demonstrate: Knowledge of or ability to learn federal, state, and local public benefit programs. Understanding of the relationship between social determinants of health and an individual’s ability to successfully participate in treatment and recovery. Strong client-service and advocacy skills. Ability to establish rapport while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Ability to collect, organize, and maintain detailed documentation. Ability to prioritize deadlines and follow applications through completion. Ability to collaborate with multiple internal departments and external agencies. Effective problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Ability to work with clients who may be frustrated, overwhelmed, experiencing symptoms of mental illness, or facing significant financial or social stressors. Commitment to person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services. Ability to demonstrate patience, professionalism, empathy, and respect in all interactions. Understanding of confidentiality, privacy, and ethical responsibilities associated with access to protected client information.   CCBHC RESPONSIBILITIES: As an employee of a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, the Benefits Specialist is expected to support Kanza’s commitment to: Providing timely and meaningful access to behavioral health services. Supporting individuals regardless of their ability to pay or other barriers to care. Providing person-centered, family-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed services. Coordinating behavioral health care with physical health care, social services, and other community systems. Supporting targeted care management and coordinated access to necessary community supports. Identifying and addressing social needs that may interfere with treatment, recovery, health, and community stability. Working collaboratively with community organizations and other health and human service providers. Supporting continuity of care across providers and service settings. Participating in quality improvement efforts and required data collection as applicable to the position. Treating individuals receiving services as active partners in decisions affecting their care and recovery.   PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS: Ability to perform routine office functions including prolonged periods of sitting, computer use, telephone communication, and documentation. Ability to travel between Kanza locations and community sites as required. Ability to occasionally lift and carry office materials and supplies consistent with normal office duties. Ability to interact with clients in office and community-based settings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.   OTHER DUTIES: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Benefits Specialist. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Responsibilities may be modified or additional duties assigned based on client, program, regulatory, CCBHC, and organizational needs. Employment with Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center, Inc. is at will. Nothing contained in this job description creates or is intended to create a contract of employment. COMPENSATION: This is an hourly, non-exempt position. The starting wage will be determined based on the selected candidate’s education, relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center’s established compensation structure. SALARY AND WAGE DISCLAIMER: Any wage, salary, or compensation range provided in a job posting, advertisement, or other recruitment material represents Kanza Mental Health & Guidance Center’s good-faith estimate of the compensation expected for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, education, licensure or certification, relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, organizational needs, and applicable compensation guidelines. Nothing contained in a job posting or job description constitutes a guarantee of a specific wage, salary, compensation level, or future wage increase.