Medicaid Eligibility Specialist

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities and hospital services.

The main office for DBHDD is located in downtown Atlanta.

Job Description

Job Title: Medicaid Eligibility Specialist

Pay Grade: H

Job Summary:

The Medicaid Eligibility Specialist (MES) position is part of DBHDD’s SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Program. SOAR is a federal program designed to increase access to SSI/SSDI for eligible adults and children who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.

The MES will focus on helping people with behavioral health disorders attain healthier and more productive lives by making successful application for Social Security Administration benefits as a stepping stone. This position will be dedicated to working with individuals referred to and participating in the Georgia Housing Voucher Program which provides permanent supportive housing to adults experiencing homelessness who have severe and persistent mental illness. Access to benefits is a major factor in whether a household can find affordable housing and whether they can maintain housing stability once housed.

The position will coordinate with community provider agencies working with GHVP applicants and enrollees, as well as the office that oversees GHVP, the Office of Supportive Housing. The position is responsible for initial outreach to the providers in the community, DBHDD Hospitals, ongoing outreach services, and completion of the application process, and/or technical assistance as needed to ensure completion of the application. This position reports to the Budget Compliance & Medicaid Manager.

Note: This position is community based and will require moderate to extensive local travel.

Essential Responsibilities include:

• Completion of the SSI/SSDI application according to established policies and procedures of the project.
• Hand deliver/electronic transfer of all needed application forms and information.
• Collection of existing medical evidence, including visiting treating sources.
• Coordination and communication with social workers and case managers.
• Linkage and coordination with SSA, referral to and linkage with other needed services, e.g., housing, health care (physical and mental), other supportive services as needed.
• Coordination with representative payee service.
• Ongoing follow-up as needed to ensure individuals are not lost to services.
• Utilizing substantial independent judgment in prioritizing and problem-solving issues.
• Organizing and recording data consistent with project goals and priorities.
• Participate in trainings related to SOAR.
• Facilitate training classes as needed or requested.
• Provide technical assistance to community providers, hospital and regional offices.
• Assists qualified mentally and physically disabled homeless individuals to access SSI, SSDI, and mental benefits.
• Responsible for maintaining timely and thorough charting/record keeping on each client and assisting in monitoring performance and outcome measures.
• Complete or assist in completing monthly reports when necessary.
• Utilize interview and engagement skills in order to complete multiple assessments and collect evidence to substantiate the client’s claim.
• Compile all the medical records, assessments and observations into a medical report that summarizes how their disability impacts their life, their activities of daily living and their ability to work.
• Collaborate with the disability adjudicators to help advocate for the client’s approval.
• Attend relevant community meetings to represent the department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to candidates, who in addition to meeting the qualifications listed above possess the following:
• Completion of the National 4-day SOAR “Train the Trainer” training conducted by the authors of the SOAR curriculum and Policy Research Associates.
• Experience in completing SSI/SSDI applications using SOAR strategies for homeless individuals with mental illness.
• Demonstrate two (2) years experience and knowledge in working with homeless persons and veterans with mental illness in accessing mainstream resources including Social Security Disability Benefits.
• Basic computer skills and able to access and use web-based technology, including the online SSA application
• Experience in collecting data to track performance outcomes.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits

Employment Requirements
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia.

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:

• Drug Screening
• TB Evaluation
• Annual Influenza*

• Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.