Health Attorney

About the Organization

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 several statewide programs that help New Yorkers find and use their health insurance or otherwise access health care. In October 2018, CSS launched New York State's first ombudsman program targeting the needs of people with mental illness and/or substance use disorder, Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP). The CHAMP program assists people who need help getting and using health insurance coverage for substance use disorder and mental health care. CHAMP serves people in need of care as well as their family members, care providers, and other advocates. The CHAMP operates statewide through a toll-free, live-answer helpline and in partnership with eight community-based organizations and three specialist organizations.

About the Role

CSS seeks to hire a Health Attorney to provide high level consumer assistance to people with mental health conditions or substance use disorder and/or their family members and health care providers who need assistance with navigating their health coverage, appealing denials of care, negotiating medical debt, and otherwise accessing health care.

Responsibilities

• Write appeals and complaints and provide hearing representation to clients appealing denials of health insurance coverage.
• Respond to live calls from consumers, family members or providers on the CHAMP Helpline, as needed, including during extended helpline hours (until 7pm) approximately once per week.
• Represent consumers in medical debt negotiations with providers and debt collectors.
• Provide information, education, advice, and navigational services to beneficiaries on how to successfully utilize health insurance and/or care.
• Develop cutting edge legal strategies and policy remedies that address consumer health coverage needs.
• Conduct legal and policy research as needed on health insurance policy, benefits, laws and other health consumer rights and responsibilities.
• 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 key stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Must have earned a JD degree; admission to practice law in New York State is preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience assisting consumers or advocates with health insurance, health care access, benefits, or coverage issues.
• Experience advocating on behalf of healthcare consumers to health insurance companies and health care providers preferred.
• Experience working with people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders preferred.
• Excellent oral communication skills and patience working with people with complex health needs, including mental health and substance use disorders.
• Demonstrated excellent reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and clear, concise writing skills.
• Written and spoken fluency in Spanish or a language other than English strongly preferred.
• Diplomatic skills working with key stakeholders.
• Ability to speak, type and write clearly, concisely, persuasively and keep detailed notes of all communications.
• Research and database management skills preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (including Outlook), web-based systems, and online research tools required.

Pay

The annual salary for this position is $93,393.00.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• Life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
• Annual performance-based bonus
• 403b retirement savings plan
• Defined benefit retirement plan
• Flexible spending accounts
• Commuter benefits plan
• EAP
• Robust paid time off policy

Schedule

CSS currently offers a hybrid work environment requiring onsite work at CSS's office at least two days per week and three days per week remote work.

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter and resume at the time of application submission.