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Behavioral Health Utilization Review Jobs in California

Utilization Review Liaison

Fremont, CA · On-site

$32.35 - $43.63/hr

Provides office and referral management support services; assists the Utilization Review Team in ... Washington Hospital Health System does not utilize any form of electronic chatting, such as Google ...

Utilization Review Technician Under direction of the Utilization Review Technician Supervisor, the ... Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the Health System

Utilization Review Liaison

Fremont, CA · On-site

$32.35 - $43.63/hr

Provides office and referral management support services; assists the Utilization Review Team in ... Washington Hospital Health System does not utilize any form of electronic chatting, such as Google ...

Minimum of 3 years acute medical Care Management/Utilization Review experience in a hospital setting (experience in health plans or medical groups is not applicable).InterQual experience is mandatory ...

New

Minimum of 3 years acute medical Care Management/Utilization Review experience in a hospital setting (experience in health plans or medical groups is not applicable).InterQual experience is mandatory ...

New

Details Client Name PIH HEALTH Job Type Travel Offering Nursing Profession Registered Nurse Specialty Utilization Review Job ID 18027156 Job Title Utilization Review RN Weekly Pay $2800.0 Shift ...

SUMMARY Under direction of the Utilization Review Technician Supervisor, the Utilization Review ... Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the Health System

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Showing results 1-20

Behavioral Health Utilization Review information

See California salary details

$21

$41

$68

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

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health utilization review 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 a behavioral health utilization review?

A Behavioral Health Utilization Review (UR) job involves assessing the medical necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of mental health and substance use disorder treatments. UR professionals review clinical documentation, apply insurance guidelines, and collaborate with providers to ensure patients receive appropriate care while ensuring compliance with policies and regulations. They help manage healthcare costs by preventing unnecessary services while advocating for necessary treatments. This role is common in insurance companies, hospitals, and managed care organizations. Strong knowledge of behavioral health guidelines and communication skills are essential for success.

What types of teams do behavioral health utilization review professionals typically work with, and how do they collaborate across departments?

Behavioral Health Utilization Review professionals frequently work within multidisciplinary teams that may include clinicians, case managers, claims specialists, and provider relations staff. Collaboration involves regularly reviewing patient records, discussing complex cases, and communicating with both internal and external healthcare providers to ensure appropriate levels of care are authorized. This role often requires coordination across departments to resolve authorization issues, clarify clinical information, and meet regulatory requirements. Effective teamwork is key to maintaining efficient workflows, supporting patient outcomes, and ensuring compliance with payer policies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in behavioral health utilization review, and why are they important?

To thrive in Behavioral Health Utilization Review, you typically need a clinical background in mental health or nursing, strong analytical abilities, and knowledge of insurance guidelines. Familiarity with medical coding, utilization management software (such as InterQual or MCG), and current behavioral health regulations is highly valued, and licensure (RN, LCSW, LPC, or similar) is often required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, effective communication, and strong organizational skills set top candidates apart. These competencies ensure accurate evaluation of medical necessity, efficient authorization processes, and collaboration with providers for optimal patient care.

What are the most commonly searched types of Behavioral Health Utilization Review jobs in California?

The most popular types of Behavioral Health Utilization Review jobs in California are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Utilization Review job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Part Time. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,795 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Mad River Community Hospital offers a friendly, family oriented and welcoming workplace with excellent benefits. Come join our family of dedicated professional staff, where you can take pride in being a part of an exceptional team!
The Utilization Review Coordinator reports to the Chief People and Compliance Officer.
The Utilization Review Coordinator is responsible for facilitating, coordinating, integrating and evaluating utilization review activities within the in-patient acute care setting. The UR Coordinator is part of a team that is accountable for facilitating and providing care coordination services and quality outcomes for patients through discharge planning and transitional care.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Collaborates and coordinates with health plans and providers/care teams to ensure appropriate utilization of resources and timely discharge.
• Provides clinical review for different healthcare services requiring authorization, including acute inpatient, skilled nursing facility, acute rehab, and home nursing.
• C ommunicates with insurance representatives and third party payers to ensure appropriate authorization for care.
• Collaborates and communicates with the care team to develop comprehensive discharge/transitional care plans based on assessment of the patient's clinical and social needs.
• Demonstrates awareness and ability to articulate legal issues pertaining to patient and families, especially related to non-covered stay. Issues denial letters as appropriate following approved procedures.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor or Master's degree in Nursing, Social Work, Sociology, or related field from an accredited school.
• Current clinical licensure, either Registered Nurse or Licensed Clinical Social Worker, preferred.
• Previous experience in utilization management, case management, discharge planning and/or home health or rehab preferred.
• Two to five years of recent acute care clinical experience.
• Working knowledge of DRG classification system, CPT coding, and INTERQUAL.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with patients/family, clinical staff, insurance providers and post-acute care providers.
• Capable experience in using electronic medical records.
• Basic proficiency with MS Office, Word and Excel.
• Current BLS certificate.
To Apply:
Please apply via our Portal by clicking the link "Apply Now". Or you may email your resume and/or application to HRTeam-at-MadRiverHospital.com.
Please visit our web site, www.madriverhospital.com , to learn more about Mad River Hospital and download the Employment Application.
Employment with MRCH is contingent upon passing a post-offer, pre-employment background check and drug screen.
Mad River Community Hospital: A Unique Acute Care Facility
The friendly university city of Arcata, CA is home to Mad River Community Hospital, nestled between the redwoods and the Pacific Ocean, just minutes away from a river, bay, beaches and forests. Mad River Community Hospital is committed to providing the best care for our patients and a balanced work-life integration for our staff.
In addition to acute care and surgical services, the hospital provides emergency services. The hospital operates several outpatient clinics, including surgery, orthopedic, occupational health, pain management, wound care, behavioral health, three primary care clinics, and two physical therapy/sports rehabilitation clinics in Arcata and Willow Creek. There is a 2-acre on-site farm that provides our cafeteria with produce for serving patients and staff.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Mad River Community Hospital provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Mad River Community Hospital complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Humboldt County - Northern California Redwood Coast
The friendly university city of Arcata, CA is home to Mad River Community Hospital, nestled between the redwoods and the Pacific Ocean, just minutes away from a river, bay, beaches and forests. Arcata is an open-minded and welcoming small city, valuing diversity, culture, art, entrepreneurship, and the protection of its beautiful natural environment. Arcata is just 80 miles south of the Oregon border and 275 miles north of San Francisco, known for clean ocean air, moderate temperatures and beautiful landscapes with giant redwoods, flowing rivers and farmlands.
Our Community
Humboldt County is home to a vibrant community and culture, with beautifully preserved Victorian-era historic towns and more artists per capita than any other county in California. Arcata offers a mild climate year-round, with many amenities of larger cities but with a small-town feel and strong sense of community. Our community is rich in the arts: music, theater, and dance performances, art galleries, and hand-crafted woodwork, textiles, and visual artwork in all mediums.
Arcata is just minutes away from pristine mountains, clean, uncrowded Pacific beaches and six mountain-fed rivers. Outdoor adventures abound: cycling, fishing, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, agate hunting, beachcombing, camping, hiking, backpacking, surfing, golfing and more. With more old-growth redwoods and stretches of undeveloped coast than anywhere else in California, Humboldt County easily earns its rank among the top US destinations and one of the most beautiful counties in the U.S.
Arcata is known for a variety of locally owned specialty farm-to-table cafes and restaurants, serving exquisite, award-winning foods, wines, microbrews, and spirits, many of which are also available in our local markets. Community farms sell their fresh organic produce and flowers at the weekly farmer's market, where you can also find many more locally made goods and sundries.
Arcata is home to California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt - one of only three Polytechnic universities in California. Cal Poly Humboldt offers bachelors, masters and credential programs in a wide variety of majors, including a STEM program. Our K-12 school system is outstanding and offers options of public, charter, and private schools that provide a variety of programs and initiatives for youth of all ages.
The local airport is serviced by United Airlines/Skywest and Avelo Airlines, with daily flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Burbank, and Denver, Colorado.
With all this going for it, it's easy to see why so many call the North Coast home!