$28.27 - 50.48 hour
The Behavioral Health Specialist serves as the primary care manager for members with high behavioral needs, engaging them through various modalities to assess their comprehensive needs. They develop and implement individualized care plans, monitor progress, and provide psycho-education and supportive counseling.
Candidates must possess an MSW or a master's degree in a related field, along with at least 2 years of experience serving individuals with behavioral health conditions and Medicaid populations. Familiarity with local behavioral health providers and community support organizations is also required.
At UnitedHealthcare, we’re simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and equitable. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. If you are located in Florida, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges. Primary Responsibilities: Serves as primary care manager for members with primary high behavioral needs members Engage members through a variety of modalities (face and/or telephonically) to complete a comprehensive needs assessment, including assessment of medical, behavioral, functional, cultural, socioeconomic and SDOH needs Develops and implements individualized, person-centered care plans inclusive of goals, opportunities and interventions aligned with a person’s readiness to change to support the best health and quality of life outcomes by meeting the member where they are Partners and collaborates with internal care team, providers and community resources/partners to leverage expertise and supports to meet needs identified in the care plan Monitor and update care plan, incorporating feedback from member to monitor for actionable steps or indicators of progress toward care plan goals / movement through various stages of behavior change Assist member in development of personal wellness plan / health crisis plan Provide psycho-education regarding conditions, medications / medication adherence, provider / treatment options, healthcare system utilization Provide coaching and supportive counseling to support: -Member self-management of care needs in alignment with evidence-based guidelines -Lifestyle changes to promote improved overall health (e.g. harm reduction strategies; behavioral change techniques) -The effective and appropriate utilization of community and natural supports Provide referral and linkage as appropriate and accepted by member (may include internal consult opportunities such as Housing Navigator, Pharmacy Team, Peer Specialist, etc. or community-based provider referrals such as PCP, specialists, medication assisted therapy referrals, etc.) Perform targeted activities to address HEDIS/STAR gap closure, including scheduling, reminding and verification of appointments to receive specific services Support proactive discharge planning / collaborate with dedicated Care Transitions teams following an ER, inpatient or Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) admission Educate and coordinate Medicaid benefits to support care needs Document all care management/coordination activity in clinical care management system Coordinate care management activities in conjunction with a broader care management team to promote team-based care Provide guidance / consultation to other team members regarding behavioral health conditions, best practice and evidence Educate the team on the continuum of behavioral health community treatment options in support in medical-behavioral integrated care Help identify presence or exacerbation of behavioral health symptoms that may be influencing / impacting physical health 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: MSW or Master degree in another behavioral health related field (e.g. psychology, counseling, etc.) 2+ years of experience directly serving individuals with behavioral health conditions (mental health / substance use disorders) 2+ years of experience serving Medicaid populations 1+ years of experience in field-based work (face-to-face person engagement in a person’s home or other community setting) Familiarity with state-specific behavioral health Medicaid benefits and accessing care for Medicaid recipients Familiarity with local behavioral health providers and community support organizations addressing SDoH (e.g. food banks, non-emergent transportation, utility assistance, housing / rapid re-housing assistance, etc.) Driver’s license and access to reliable transportation *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 hourly pay for this role will range from $28.27 to $50.48 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. 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.
This job posting was last updated on 10/1/2025