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Optum Health Utilization Review Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sentara Health Plans

$10K/mo

Sentara Health Plans Community Care is looking to hire a Utilization Review Nurse. The Utilization Review Nurse is responsible for utilization management services within the scope of licensure.

HealthCare Support

Utilization Management

Houston, TX · On-site

$38 - $40.86/hr

Behavioral Health Utilization Review RN HealthCare Support is actively seeking a Remote BH Utilization Review RN to fill an opening with a Managed Care Company . Daily Responsibilities for Remote BH ...

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

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for optum health utilization review in the United States is $42.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.41 and $48.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Optum Health Utilization Review?

An Optum Health Utilization Review job involves assessing medical necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of healthcare services. Professionals in this role review patient records, insurance claims, and treatment plans to ensure compliance with industry standards and policies. They collaborate with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients to optimize care while managing costs. The position requires strong clinical knowledge, attention to detail, and familiarity with medical guidelines. It plays a crucial role in improving healthcare quality and reducing unnecessary expenses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Optum Health Utilization Review position?

To excel in an Optum Health Utilization Review role, you typically need a background in nursing or a related clinical field, a valid RN license, and familiarity with healthcare policies and guidelines. Experience with utilization management software, electronic medical records (EMR) systems, and potentially certifications such as CCM (Certified Case Manager) are highly valued. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for evaluating medical necessity and collaborating with providers. These competencies ensure accurate, compliant review processes that support optimal patient care and organizational efficiency.

What are some common challenges faced by Optum Health Utilization Review specialists and how does the team address them?

Optum Health Utilization Review specialists often encounter challenges such as staying current with frequently changing healthcare regulations, handling complex medical cases, and managing high caseloads with tight deadlines. The team fosters a collaborative environment where members can consult with medical directors, other clinical reviewers, and support staff to resolve difficult cases and clarify policies. Regular training sessions, ongoing education, and access to up-to-date resources help team members stay informed and manage these challenges effectively. This supportive structure enables specialists to maintain high accuracy and efficiency while delivering quality outcomes for patients and providers.

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Optum Health Utilization Review jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optum Health Utilization Review job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 77% In-person, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,946 per year, or $42.3 per hour.

Director of Utilization Review

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

New Vista Behavioral Health
Offices of Mental Health Practitioners • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about New Vista Behavioral Healthexternal

$78K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Corporate Director of Utilization Review

New Vista Behavioral Health

Pay Range: $78k - $100k per year
Schedule: Full Time
Location: Blue Ash, OH

New Vista Behavioral Health is seeking an experienced Corporate Director of Utilization Review to provide strategic leadership and oversight of utilization review and utilization management across our behavioral health organization.

This is a high-impact corporate leadership role responsible for ensuring clinically appropriate, timely, and financially responsible utilization of behavioral health services. The Director will partner with clinical, medical, operations, revenue cycle, quality, compliance, admissions, discharge planning, and payer relations teams to optimize authorizations, reduce avoidable denials, support appropriate length of stay, and promote timely transitions of care.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and oversee the organization’s enterprise-wide Utilization Review program and establish consistent best practices across facilities and programs.
  • Develop and implement standardized UR policies, workflows, performance expectations, and quality metrics.
  • Oversee initial, concurrent, continued-stay, retrospective, and discharge-related utilization reviews.
  • Ensure timely and accurate submission of clinical information and authorization requests to managed care organizations and other payers.
  • Monitor authorization outcomes, denials, length of stay, continued-stay days, and other utilization trends.
  • Develop strategies to prevent avoidable denials and improve payer authorization and appeal outcomes.
  • Oversee peer-to-peer reviews, clinical escalations, and medical necessity appeals.
  • Partner with clinical leadership to ensure documentation supports medical necessity, level of care, treatment needs, and continued stay.
  • Establish and monitor corporate UR dashboards and key performance indicators.
  • Identify trends and opportunities for operational, clinical, and financial improvement.
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and leadership to facility-level UR teams and managers.
  • Collaborate with Revenue Cycle, Payer Relations, Quality, Compliance, Medical Staff, and Operations to resolve utilization and reimbursement challenges.
  • Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory, accreditation, payer, and organizational requirements.
  • Serve as the organization’s subject-matter expert on behavioral health utilization management and medical necessity.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Psychology, or a related healthcare field required.
  • Master’s degree preferred.
  • Active clinical license or applicable professional credential preferred.
  • 7+ years of progressive healthcare experience, including significant behavioral health utilization review/management experience.
  • 3–5+ years of leadership experience, preferably in a multi-site or corporate healthcare environment.
  • Strong knowledge of behavioral health levels of care, medical necessity, payer authorization, concurrent review, denials, peer-to-peer reviews, and appeals.
  • Demonstrated success improving authorization outcomes and reducing avoidable denials.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Experience with behavioral health EHRs, payer portals, and utilization management systems preferred.
  • Knowledge of InterQual, MCG, ASAM, LOCUS, or other applicable clinical criteria is a plus.

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