Bickham Services Unlimited, LLC
Medical Director (Utilization Management
Bickham Services Unlimited, LLC, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Overview
The Medical Director (Utilization Management) plays a critical role in leading and supporting the clinical integrity of the utilization management function, with a specific focus on inpatient and post-acute care reviews. This physician leader ensures timely and appropriate care determinations for Medicare Advantage members, guided by clinical criteria, CMS regulations, and evidence-based practices. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, this role focuses on evaluating medical necessity and appropriateness of hospital admissions, continued stays, and post-acute services. The Medical Director collaborates with care management teams, providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure care decisions support optimal outcomes, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
What You Will Do
Conduct timely utilization review and medical necessity determinations for inpatient admissions, continued stays, and post-acute care settings (e.g., SNF, IRF, LTACH, home health) for Medicare Advantage members
Assess appropriateness of acute care services using evidence-based guidelines (e.g., MCG, InterQual) and CMS criteria
Serve as the physician reviewer for escalated or complex UM cases requiring medical judgment
Collaborate with utilization management and care management teams to ensure consistent, clinically appropriate, and cost-effective care
Participate in peer-to-peer discussions with attending physicians to clarify clinical documentation and support appropriate levels of care
Identify trends in care utilization and support the development of interventions to reduce unnecessary admissions or extended stays
Provide input into the development and implementation of medical policy and UM protocols
Support CMS regulatory compliance, audit preparedness, and delegated oversight for UM functions
Contribute clinical expertise to quality improvement initiatives related to utilization patterns, readmission reduction, and transitions of care
Document all reviews and decisions according to NCQA, CMS, and organizational requirements
Participate in UM committee meetings and represent the health plan in external provider and stakeholder engagements as needed
You Will Be Successful If
Extensive knowledge of the use of MCG guidelines in clinical decision making
Knowledge of medical management systems and software to support clinical activities in health services
Experience in population health management and use of data to design and implement clinical programs
Experience working with different levels of staff in a matrix organization
Strong analytical, problem-solving skills with good negotiation skills
Very strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels both inside and outside of the organization
Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information and documents according to clinical standards
Demonstrated ability to commit to and facilitate an atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork
Ability to supervise and mentor staff, analyze situations independently and make appropriate decisions
Ability to prepare written reports and maintain accurate records in compliance with State and federal requirements for clinical documentation and privacy rules
Strong analytical, assessment and problem-solving skills with intermediate negotiation skills
Advanced computer skills that include MS Office products
Demonstrate ability to respect and maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive documents, records, discussions, and other information generated in connection with patient healthcare, business or employee information and make no disclosure except as required in the conduct of business
Strong attention to detail; work accurately and at a reasonable rate of speed
What You Will Bring
Licensed M.D. or D.O. in good standing in the state of residence
Minimum of five (5) years clinical experience, with at least three (3) years in a utilization management or medical leadership role within a managed care or health plan setting
Strong experience in inpatient and post-acute case review and determining medical appropriateness of acute care services
Knowledge of Medicare Advantage regulations and CMS coverage criteria
Experience with evidence-based clinical guidelines such as MCG or InterQual
Effective communication and negotiation skills, particularly in physician-to-physician interactions
Strong analytical and documentation skills
Preferred: MPH, MBA, or MHA; Certification by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP)
Additional Details This is a temp to perm opportunity. Candidate must NOT require sponsorship now, or in the future.
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The Medical Director (Utilization Management) plays a critical role in leading and supporting the clinical integrity of the utilization management function, with a specific focus on inpatient and post-acute care reviews. This physician leader ensures timely and appropriate care determinations for Medicare Advantage members, guided by clinical criteria, CMS regulations, and evidence-based practices. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, this role focuses on evaluating medical necessity and appropriateness of hospital admissions, continued stays, and post-acute services. The Medical Director collaborates with care management teams, providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure care decisions support optimal outcomes, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
What You Will Do
Conduct timely utilization review and medical necessity determinations for inpatient admissions, continued stays, and post-acute care settings (e.g., SNF, IRF, LTACH, home health) for Medicare Advantage members
Assess appropriateness of acute care services using evidence-based guidelines (e.g., MCG, InterQual) and CMS criteria
Serve as the physician reviewer for escalated or complex UM cases requiring medical judgment
Collaborate with utilization management and care management teams to ensure consistent, clinically appropriate, and cost-effective care
Participate in peer-to-peer discussions with attending physicians to clarify clinical documentation and support appropriate levels of care
Identify trends in care utilization and support the development of interventions to reduce unnecessary admissions or extended stays
Provide input into the development and implementation of medical policy and UM protocols
Support CMS regulatory compliance, audit preparedness, and delegated oversight for UM functions
Contribute clinical expertise to quality improvement initiatives related to utilization patterns, readmission reduction, and transitions of care
Document all reviews and decisions according to NCQA, CMS, and organizational requirements
Participate in UM committee meetings and represent the health plan in external provider and stakeholder engagements as needed
You Will Be Successful If
Extensive knowledge of the use of MCG guidelines in clinical decision making
Knowledge of medical management systems and software to support clinical activities in health services
Experience in population health management and use of data to design and implement clinical programs
Experience working with different levels of staff in a matrix organization
Strong analytical, problem-solving skills with good negotiation skills
Very strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels both inside and outside of the organization
Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information and documents according to clinical standards
Demonstrated ability to commit to and facilitate an atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork
Ability to supervise and mentor staff, analyze situations independently and make appropriate decisions
Ability to prepare written reports and maintain accurate records in compliance with State and federal requirements for clinical documentation and privacy rules
Strong analytical, assessment and problem-solving skills with intermediate negotiation skills
Advanced computer skills that include MS Office products
Demonstrate ability to respect and maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive documents, records, discussions, and other information generated in connection with patient healthcare, business or employee information and make no disclosure except as required in the conduct of business
Strong attention to detail; work accurately and at a reasonable rate of speed
What You Will Bring
Licensed M.D. or D.O. in good standing in the state of residence
Minimum of five (5) years clinical experience, with at least three (3) years in a utilization management or medical leadership role within a managed care or health plan setting
Strong experience in inpatient and post-acute case review and determining medical appropriateness of acute care services
Knowledge of Medicare Advantage regulations and CMS coverage criteria
Experience with evidence-based clinical guidelines such as MCG or InterQual
Effective communication and negotiation skills, particularly in physician-to-physician interactions
Strong analytical and documentation skills
Preferred: MPH, MBA, or MHA; Certification by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP)
Additional Details This is a temp to perm opportunity. Candidate must NOT require sponsorship now, or in the future.
#J-18808-Ljbffr