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Behavioral Health Utilization Management Jobs in California

Pacific Grove

Utilization Specialist PRN

Riverside, CA · On-site

$31 - $50/hr

Overview Pacific Grove Hospital in Riverside, CA., is a leader in behavioral healthcare, providing ... Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility professional clinical staff.

Kheir Clinic

Utilization Specialist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$64K - $75K/yr

This position involves assessing patient care needs, monitoring service utilization, and collaborating with healthcare providers to optimize patient outcomes while managing costs. The Utilization ...

Kheir-Clinic-

Utilization Specialist

Lancaster, CA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

This position involves assessing patient care needs, monitoring service utilization, and collaborating with healthcare providers to optimize patient outcomes while managing costs. The Utilization ...

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Behavioral Health Utilization Management information

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$21

$41

$68

How much do behavioral health utilization management jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health utilization management in California is $41.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.98 and $47.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is behavioral health utilization management?

Behavioral Health Utilization Management is a process used by insurance companies and healthcare organizations to evaluate the necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of behavioral health services such as mental health and substance use treatments. This process helps ensure that patients receive the right level of care based on clinical guidelines while managing healthcare costs. Utilization managers review treatment plans, authorize services, and coordinate with providers to promote quality outcomes and avoid unnecessary services. Their work is essential in balancing patient needs with resource allocation in the healthcare system.

What skills and qualifications are needed for behavioral health utilization management?

To thrive as a Behavioral Health Utilization Management professional, you need a background in behavioral health or clinical care, often with an RN, LCSW, LPC, or similar licensure and experience in mental health care settings. Familiarity with utilization review software, insurance guidelines, and electronic health record (EHR) systems is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, communication, and negotiation skills are essential soft skills to effectively evaluate treatment plans and coordinate with providers. These competencies are vital to ensuring appropriate, cost-effective care while maintaining compliance with regulatory and payer requirements.

What are common challenges in behavioral health utilization management and how are they addressed?

Behavioral Health Utilization Management professionals often encounter challenges such as managing high caseloads, keeping up with evolving clinical guidelines, and ensuring timely communication with providers and insurance companies. Balancing the need for cost containment with advocating for appropriate patient care can also be demanding. These challenges are typically addressed through ongoing training, strong teamwork, and the use of evidence-based criteria and decision-support tools to guide determinations and streamline workflows.

What is the difference between Behavioral Health Utilization Management vs Behavioral Health Case Manager?

AspectBehavioral Health Utilization ManagementBehavioral Health Case Manager
CredentialsLicenses (e.g., RN, LCSW), certifications in utilization reviewLicenses (e.g., LCSW, LPC), case management certifications
Work EnvironmentInsurance companies, healthcare organizations, utilization review departmentsHospitals, community clinics, outpatient facilities
Employer & Industry UsageHealth insurance providers, managed care organizationsBehavioral health agencies, hospitals, outpatient clinics

Behavioral Health Utilization Management focuses on reviewing and authorizing mental health services to ensure appropriate care and cost management. In contrast, Behavioral Health Case Managers coordinate ongoing patient care, providing support and resources to improve treatment outcomes. Both roles require relevant licenses and certifications but differ in their primary responsibilities and work settings.

What are popular job titles related to Behavioral Health Utilization Management jobs in California?

For Behavioral Health Utilization Management jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Behavioral Health Utilization Management jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Behavioral Health Utilization Management jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Behavioral Health Utilization Management jobs?

Cities in California with the most Behavioral Health Utilization Management job openings:

Behavioral Health Utilization Management jobs near you
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Utilization Management job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $86,795 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Utilization Specialist PRN

Pacific Grove

Riverside, CA • On-site

$31 - $50/hr

Per diem

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Overview

Pacific Grove Hospital in Riverside, CA., is a leader in behavioral healthcare, providing superior healthcare treatment to the people, communities, and military installations we serve. We are a private inpatient 68 bed acute psychiatric facility with out-patient services, dedicated to the treatment of behavioral health and substance abuse services. Come join TEAM PGH as a UR Specialist!

  • Flexible scheduling
  • Competitive Pay
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Hourly pay range: $31-50 DOE and licensure held

PURPOSE STATEMENT: 

Proactively monitor utilization of services for patients to optimize reimbursement for the facility.  

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

  • Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility professional clinical staff. 
  • Conduct reviews, in accordance with certification requirements, of insurance plans or other managed care organizations (MCOs) and coordinate the flow of communication concerning reimbursement requirements. 
  • Monitor patient length of stay and extensions and inform clinical and medical staff on issues that may impact length of stay.  
  • Gather and develop statistical and narrative information to report on utilization, non-certified days (including identified causes and appeal information), discharges and quality of services, as required by the facility leadership or corporate office. 
  • Conduct quality reviews for medical necessity and services provided.   
  • Facilitate peer review calls between facility and external organizations.  
  • Initiate and complete the formal appeal process for denied admissions or continued stay.  
  • Assist the admissions department with pre-certifications of care.  
  • Provide ongoing support and training for staff on documentation or charting requirements, continued stay criteria and medical necessity updates. 

OTHER FUNCTIONS:  

  • Perform other functions and tasks as assigned. 
Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent. 
  • Preferred Education: Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in Social Work, Behavioral or Mental Health, Nursing, or a related health field. 
  • Experience: Clinical experience is required, or two or more years' experience working with the facility's population. Previous experience in utilization management is preferred 

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:  

  • Preferred Licensure: LPN, RN, LMSW, LCSW, LPC, LPC-I within the state where the facility provides services; or current clinical professional license or certification, as required, within the state where the facility provides services. 
  • CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility.   
  • First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements. 

 

ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS: 

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances  (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate. 

We are committed to providing equal  employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual's characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

PACGRV

Employment Type: OTHER

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