Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology, to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best.Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale.Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
This position is full-time, Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5pm. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime.
This is an on-site role at 1 Atwell Rd. Cooperstown, NY.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Insurance Investigator is responsible for assisting patients with navigating their insurance benefits, cost of service and financial assistance needs. Individuals in this role serve as a liaison between medical staff, patient financial services, insurance payers, patients, family members and other team members to ensure excellent patient care. This includes, but is not limited to the information outlined below:
- Insurance
- Verification of insurance eligibility, benefits, and authorizations
- Ensure appropriate insurance coverage is listed within a patient's account
- Financial Assistance & Enrollment
- Point of contact for uninsured and underinsured patients
- Collaborate with Patient Financial Services and various foundations for charity care
- Assist eligible patients with enrolling for coverage on the exchange portal Estimates and Collections
- Work with patients to set up payment plans and loan programs Customer Service
- Collect confidential and sensitive information in a respectful manner
- Assist patients, departments and providers with eligibility, benefits and authorization questions and cost information
- Remain knowledgeable with changing workflows
- Leadership
- Navigate difficult conversations resourcefully and respectfully
- Communicate protocols and complex terminology in a manner easy to understand
- Motivate teammates to achieve goals set by department
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:
- High School Diploma / GED
- 1+ years of experience with Insurance benefit verification
- 1+ years of practical work experience in healthcare or finance
- Ability to work full-time, Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5pm
- Ability to work an on-site role at 1 Atwell Rd. Cooperstown, NY
Preferred Qualifications:
- 1 year of experience as an application counselor or navigator, or equivalent experience with New York State of Health
- Experience with Microsoft Office products
- Experience in a Hospital Patient Registration Department, Physician office or any medical setting
- Working knowledge of medical terminology
- Understanding of insurance policies and procedures
- Experience in insurance reimbursement and financial verification
- Ability to perform basic mathematics for financial payments
- Experience in requesting and processing financial payments
Soft Skills:
- Strong interpersonal, communication and customer service skills
- Highly organized and ability to shift with changing priorities
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $18.00 to $32.00 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location, and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups, and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
#RPO, #RED
Skills Required
- High School Diploma or GED
- 2+ years of experience as an insurance navigator with NY State of Health
- 1+ years of experience with insurance benefit verification
- 1+ years of practical work experience in healthcare or finance
- Ability to work full-time, Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5pm
- Ability to work on-site at 1 Atwell Rd. Cooperstown, NY
- Pass pre-employment drug test
- Strong interpersonal, communication and customer service skills
- Highly organized and ability to shift with changing priorities
- Experience with Microsoft Office products
- Experience in a hospital patient registration department, physician office, or medical setting
- Working knowledge of medical terminology
- Understanding of insurance policies and procedures
- Experience in insurance reimbursement and financial verification
- Ability to perform basic mathematics for financial payments
- Experience in requesting and processing financial payments
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Official materials highlight copay and HSA medical plan choices with in‑network preventive care at 100%, prescription coverage, and low/no‑cost virtual visits, plus company HSA contributions. Dental preventive services are 100% in network, and mental health resources include an EAP and premium Calm access.
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Parental & Family Support — Programs include six weeks paid parental leave, up to two weeks paid caregiver leave, and Bright Horizons back‑up care with enhanced family supports. Adoption assistance up to $10,000 for full‑time employees reinforces family‑oriented benefits.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Financial benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a 10% discount, expanding access to equity ownership.
Optum Insights
What We Do
Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. At Optum, we support your well-being with an understanding team, extensive benefits and rewarding opportunities. By joining us, you’ll have the resources to drive system transformation while we help you take care of your future. We recognize the power of connection to drive change, improve efficiency and make a difference in health care. Join a team where your skills and ideas can make an impact and where collaboration is key to creating technology that produces healthier outcomes.
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Optum Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Optum has three workplace models that balance the needs of the business and the responsibilities of each role. These models, core on‑site (5 days/week), hybrid (4 days/week) and telecommute or fully remote, vary by country, role and location.