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Discharge Planner Utilization Review Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Utilization Review Nurse ensures appropriate utilization of health services by performing ... Understands key aspects of discharge planning, transitional care management and drivers of ...

Collaborate with clinical and billing departments to support discharge planning, documentation, and ... As a Utilization Review Specialist , you'll help ensure that each client leaves treatment with a ...

Discharge Planner Location: Springfield, Missouri Department: Youth Resiliency Campus Employment ... This role documents plans in the EHR, participates in case reviews, works with clinical teams to ...

Utilization Review Specialist Mindful Health is a fast-growing company with the goal of providing ... Coordinate with Social Services to support timely discharge planning * Prepare and present monthly ...

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Discharge Planner Utilization Review information

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How much do discharge planner utilization review jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for discharge planner utilization review in the United States is $32.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $39.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a discharge planner?

To become a discharge planner, typically a healthcare professional such as a social worker, nurse, or case manager, needs to obtain relevant education like a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, nursing, or healthcare administration. Certification or licensure may be required depending on the state or employer, and experience in patient care or healthcare coordination is often preferred. Strong communication, organizational skills, and knowledge of healthcare systems are essential for this role.

How does a Discharge Planner Utilization Review professional collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure effective patient transitions?

Discharge Planner Utilization Review professionals work closely with physicians, nurses, social workers, and insurance representatives to coordinate safe and timely patient discharges. They facilitate communication between team members, assess patients' post-hospital needs, and help secure appropriate resources such as home health care or rehabilitation services. Their role is vital in preventing readmissions by ensuring that all aspects of a patient's care plan are addressed and that transitions occur smoothly. Regular interdisciplinary meetings and case conferences are common practices to align on patient care goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Discharge Planner Utilization Review, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Discharge Planner Utilization Review professional, you generally need a clinical background such as RN or social worker licensure, strong knowledge of discharge planning protocols, and familiarity with healthcare regulations. Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs), case management software, and utilization review tools is typically required. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills help in coordinating care and advocating for patient needs. These competencies ensure safe, efficient patient transitions and compliance with healthcare policies, ultimately optimizing patient outcomes and resource use.

What are Discharge Planner Utilization Review professionals?

Discharge Planner Utilization Review professionals are healthcare workers who coordinate patient discharges from hospitals or medical facilities while ensuring appropriate utilization of healthcare services. They assess patients' continuing care needs, develop safe discharge plans, and review the necessity and efficiency of the care provided. Their role bridges clinical care and administrative requirements, helping to prevent unnecessary hospital stays and ensuring patients transition smoothly to home or other care settings. These professionals often work closely with physicians, nurses, social workers, and insurance companies to promote optimal patient outcomes and cost-effective healthcare.

What is the difference between Discharge Planner Utilization Review vs Discharge Planner?

AspectDischarge Planner Utilization ReviewDischarge Planner
Primary RoleEvaluates medical necessity and appropriateness of patient discharges for insurance and healthcare complianceCoordinates patient discharges, ensures proper placement, and communicates with healthcare teams
CredentialsTypically requires a social work, nursing, or healthcare background with certification in utilization reviewUsually requires social work or nursing credentials, with focus on discharge planning
Work EnvironmentHospitals, insurance companies, or healthcare facilities involved in utilization reviewHospitals, rehab centers, or skilled nursing facilities

While both roles involve discharge processes, Discharge Planner Utilization Review focuses on assessing medical necessity for insurance purposes, whereas Discharge Planner manages patient discharge logistics and coordination. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in healthcare settings.

More about Discharge Planner Utilization Review jobs
What cities are hiring for Discharge Planner Utilization Review jobs? Cities with the most Discharge Planner Utilization Review job openings:
What states have the most Discharge Planner Utilization Review jobs? States with the most job openings for Discharge Planner Utilization Review jobs include:
Infographic showing various Discharge Planner Utilization Review job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 14% Full Time, and 85% Part Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,853 per year, or $32.6 per hour.
Utilization Review Nurse

Utilization Review Nurse

AbsoluteCARE

New Orleans, LA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

AbsoluteCare offers concierge health services using a risk-bearing, PCP-driven care model. We treat the most clinically complex and vulnerable members of the communities we serve, many of whom suffer from behavioral health, substance use, and SDoH challenges. We use population health management tools to employ a holistic approach to caring for the highest utilizers of healthcare services in our comprehensive care centers and in the community. AbsoluteCare tends exclusively to the needs of the top four to six percent of the population who persistently represent a disproportionate amount of unnecessary utilization and cost, regardless of whether they are engaged with other PCPs. In our more than 20 years of service, AbsoluteCare has focused on fulfilling the needs of this population. And we have consistently achieved unprecedented outcomes by addressing medical and psychosocial issues, in addition to the hardships of life that can exacerbate chronic health conditions and complicate access to care.

Our Values:

  • Accountability - We have the integrity to do what we say we will do
  • Caring - The needs of our team and members matter
  • Trust - Our members can rely on us
  • Teamwork - We act together as one inclusive group

Description:

The Utilization Review Nurse ensures appropriate utilization of health services by performing initial, concurrent and retrospective clinical case reviews. This role collaborates and communicates with health plans and different providers/care teams to help ensure inpatient bed days and associated discharge/transitional care plans are appropriate. The Utilization Review Nurse provides clinical review for different healthcare services requiring authorization- including acute inpatient, skilled nursing facility, acute rehab, home nursing as well as others. Ensures medically appropriate, high quality, cost effective care through assessing the medical necessity and appropriateness of treatment setting by utilizing the applicable policies and guidelines. Utilizes decision making and critical thinking skills in the review and determination of coverage for medically necessary health care services. Is part of a team that accountable for facilitating and providing care coordination services and associated quality outcomes for patients across the continuum of discharge planning and transitional care. Collaborates with different teams to develop and/or implement comprehensive discharge care plans based on assessment of member's clinical and social needs.

  • Reviews and interprets medical records and compares against industry guidelines and company policies to determine medical appropriateness and necessity of care.
  • Apply critical thinking and decision-making skills to determine if the medical record documentation supports the need for service while maintaining quality standards.
  • Continuously reviewing the patients' medical record to ensure that members will not receive unnecessary procedures, ineffective treatment, or unnecessarily extensive hospital stays.
  • As needed, perform onsite of emergent/urgent and continued stay requests for appropriate care and setting, following guidelines and policies.
  • Understands key aspects of discharge planning, transitional care management and drivers of readmissions when coordinating care for complex, vulnerable populations.
  • Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and embrace teamwork.
  • Identifies members for referral opportunities to integrate with other products, services and/or programs Identifies opportunities to promote quality effectiveness
  • Demonstrates proficiency with case load and the ability to manage complex cases effectively
  • Works with less structured, more complex issues and ability to identify solutions to non-standard requests and problems.
  • Demonstrates a solid understanding of managed care, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations.
  • Schedule: Monday thru Friday daytime hours, along with rotating weekends and holidays.

Experience

  • Ability to interpret clinical data.
  • Active Registered Nurse license by the State of Louisiana and/or the state(s) in which the nurse is required to practice.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing
  • Understanding of complex vulnerable populations and their associated care coordination needs.
  • Knowledge of medical appropriateness criteria such as InterQual, Milliman Care Guidelines
  • Experience and knowledge with Medicaid and Medicare managed care organizations, regulations and populations.
  • Must have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, and must be a creative problem solver.
  • Proven ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
  • Must have good typing skills and proficiency using MS Office Word, Excel and Outlook
  • 3-5 years of acute care clinical experience required working in any of the following areas: ER, Critical Care, ICU, Ortho, Med Surg, Telemetry.
  • Health plan, ACO or IPA experience.

Our employeesare offered the following benefits

  • Free parking
  • Free Vision Plan
  • Medical and Dental plans
  • Life Insurance
  • Short Term Disability
  • 401 k Retirement plan

AbsoluteCare provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy.