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.
The role of the Psychologist Peer Review for ALERT involves applying clinical criteria and benefit plan requirements to Commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare cases, and making clinical and /or benefit determinations to continue coverage of treatment, shaping and modifying treatment as appropriate, or issuing an adverse benefit determination if applicable criteria is not met.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Standard outpatient treatment, including requests for extended length sessions or single case agreements
- State-specific Medicaid services (e.g. Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Targeted Case Management, Home Based Habilitation, Supported Employment, etc.)
- Intensive Outpatient services for both Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Participate in peer consultations, staff meetings, and trainings; entering determinations within federal, state, and local guideline requirements; and perform of other duties as required by the reviewer's manager
- Conduct Non-MD clinical reviews of the following type during a typical workday
- Requests for psychological or neuropsychological testing
- Review of outpatient treatment plans for services that are sent for Peer Review that do not appear to meet clinical criteria and/or when there are concerns about the quality of care
- Review of ongoing outpatient care in cases where the member's treatment episode exceeds normative standards
- Requests for non-standard outpatient services (extended-length visits, an in-network accommodation, intensive outpatient program with no MD involvement)
- Appeals of previously denied services or claims for outpatient non-MD services up to and including Intensive Outpatient Programming
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:
- Licensed doctoral level (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) Psychologist
- License must be current, allow for full independent practice, and be unrestricted (you may be asked to obtain additional state licenses to meet growing business needs)
- 3+ years of post-licensure experience
- Experience working with insurance agencies
- Computer skills, including facility with Windows OS, Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Proven ability to type proficiently while speaking on the phone
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in a managed care setting
- Experience performing Peer Reviews
- Experience with commercial, Medicaid and Medicare lines of business
- Experience with CPT and HCPC codes
- Clinical experience in higher levels of care (Intensive Outpatient)
- Clinical experience with children and adolescents
- Clinical experience with Substance Abuse diagnoses
- Clinical experience with Evidence-Based Treatment
- Advanced computer skills using Excel and Access Databases
- Proven solid organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple demands within strict turn-around-time requirements
- Proven solid written and verbal communication and negotiation skills
- Proven ability to work well independently and collaborate with others on a clinical team
- Proven ability to enjoy a fast paced, changing environment
- Candidates located in Mountain or Pacific Time Zones
*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy
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 salary for this role will range from $91,700 to $163,700 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
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.
UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
Skills Required
- Licensed doctoral level (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) Psychologist
- License current, allowing full independent practice and unrestricted (may require additional state licenses)
- 3+ years of post-licensure experience
- Experience working with insurance agencies
- Computer skills including facility with Windows OS, Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Proven ability to type proficiently while speaking on the phone
- Pass a drug test prior to beginning employment
- Experience working in a managed care setting
- Experience performing Peer Reviews
- Experience with commercial, Medicaid and Medicare lines of business
- Experience with CPT and HCPC codes
- Clinical experience in higher levels of care (Intensive Outpatient)
- Clinical experience with children and adolescents
- Clinical experience with Substance Abuse diagnoses
- Clinical experience with Evidence-Based Treatment
- Advanced computer skills using Excel and Access Databases
- Proven organizational and time management skills to prioritize multiple demands within strict turnaround times
- Proven written and verbal communication and negotiation skills
- Proven ability to work independently and collaborate on a clinical team
- Ability to thrive in a fast paced, changing environment
- Candidates located in Mountain or Pacific Time Zones
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO accrues each pay period with eight paid U.S. holidays plus a floating holiday, and generous time away is consistently emphasized. This breadth supports planned and unplanned time off beyond standard vacation days.
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Parental & Family Support — Six weeks of paid parental leave, up to two weeks of paid caregiver leave, Bright Horizons back‑up care, and adoption assistance signal strong family-oriented support. EAP access with counseling sessions further extends help to employees and their households.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Company‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, Calm app membership, tuition reimbursement, commuter and FSA accounts, and broad employee discounts expand everyday wellbeing resources. Free or low‑cost virtual visits complement these lifestyle supports.
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.