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Utilization Manager Jobs in Plainfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Utilization Review Nurse

Chicago, IL · On-site

MUST HAVE MANAGED CARE exp and Medicare/Medicaid knowledge. * MUST HAVE UM experience, inpatient utilization management review. * MUST HAVE 1 YEAR OF UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT EXP, pref. knowledge of ...

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Utilization Manager information

See Plainfield, IL salary details

$38K

$88.7K

$163.3K

How much do utilization manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for utilization manager in Plainfield, IL is $88,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $106,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a utilization manager?

A utilization manager works in the insurance industry to analyze health care needs in medical cases and determine further patient care. In this career, your job duties include conducting interviews to determine what services you register for and cutting down on unnecessary costs. You may review medical records and compile documentation to improve care and report your findings. Skills in management, customer service, and health care services are vital in this career. Job experience in nursing is a benefit when applying for utilization manager positions. Additional qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and medical case management certificate.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a utilization manager?

To thrive as a Utilization Manager, you need a solid background in healthcare management, case review, and knowledge of insurance regulations, often supported by a degree in nursing, healthcare administration, or a related field. Familiarity with utilization management software, electronic health records (EHRs), and certification such as Certified Case Manager (CCM) are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, communication, and negotiation skills help Utilization Managers effectively coordinate care and collaborate with providers. These skills ensure appropriate resource use, regulatory compliance, and optimal patient outcomes within healthcare organizations.

What are some common challenges faced by utilization managers, and how can they be addressed?

Utilization Managers often face challenges such as balancing cost containment with patient care quality, navigating complex insurance policies, and managing high caseloads. To address these, effective communication with healthcare providers and payers is essential, as is staying current with regulatory requirements and best practices. Building strong relationships within interdisciplinary teams and leveraging data analytics tools can also help Utilization Managers make informed decisions and improve workflow efficiency.

What is the difference between Utilization Manager vs Utilization Coordinator?

AspectUtilization ManagerUtilization Coordinator
CertificationsOften requires healthcare or case management certificationsMay have similar certifications but less emphasis on management
Work EnvironmentTypically in healthcare organizations, overseeing utilization review processesSupports daily operations, assisting with case documentation and scheduling
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in healthcare, insurance, and managed care companiesFound in similar settings, often working under Utilization Managers

In summary, a Utilization Manager generally has broader responsibilities, overseeing utilization review and resource allocation, while a Utilization Coordinator focuses on supporting daily tasks and documentation. Both roles are integral in healthcare settings but differ in scope and level of responsibility.

More about Utilization Manager jobs

What job categories do people searching Utilization Manager jobs in Plainfield, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Utilization Manager jobs in Plainfield, IL are:

What cities near Plainfield, IL are hiring for Utilization Manager jobs?

Cities near Plainfield, IL with the most Utilization Manager job openings:

Utilization Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Utilization Manager job openings in Plainfield, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,709 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Utilization Management Specialist

Duly Health and Care

Downers Grove, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Duly Health and Care rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 112 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

456th of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

At Duly Health and Care you are supported to do your best work and make a meaningful impact every day. You will be part of a collaborative, physician-led team that works as one and puts patients at the center of everything we do.
With a connected network of providers, care teams, and services across primary and specialty care, surgery centers, imaging, lab, and therapy, you are part of a system designed to deliver high-quality, coordinated care. Together, we create an environment where you can grow, contribute, and help improve the experience and outcomes for every patient we serve.
Benefits:
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits that include healthcare navigation assistance.
• Access to a mental health benefit at no cost.
• Employer provided life and disability insurance.
• $5,250 Tuition Reimbursement per year.
• Immediate 401(k) match.
• 40 hours paid volunteer time off.
• A culture committed to community engagement and social impact.
• Up to 12 weeks parental leave at 100% pay and a financial benefit for adoption and surrogacy for non-physician team members once eligibility requirements are met.
The Utilization Management Specialist is a critical member of the Utilization Management team, responsible for the timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate management of referrals, authorizations, and benefit determinations for capitated and value-based health plan populations.
This role requires a strong understanding of managed care, utilization management, payer requirements, and healthcare benefits, along with the ability to apply clinical guidelines and sound judgment to complex referral and authorization requests. The Utilization Management Specialist partners closely with Medical Directors, Care Management leadership, providers, health plans, and internal clinical teams to facilitate appropriate access to care while ensuring alignment with organizational policies, contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and evidence-based medical management guidelines.
The ideal candidate is a highly organized, analytical, and solutions-oriented healthcare professional who can independently manage competing priorities, navigate complex payer requirements, identify potential barriers to care, and effectively communicate with clinical and operational stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Utilization Management & Referral Management
  • Process referrals, authorizations, and benefit determinations in accordance with organizational policies, health plan requirements, contractual obligations, and applicable regulatory standards.

  • Perform comprehensive review of referral requests, including eligibility, benefit coverage, medical necessity criteria, network participation, and authorization requirements.

  • Contact health plans and payer representatives to obtain required authorizations, clarify benefits, resolve discrepancies, and facilitate timely access to services.

  • Apply MCG Guidelines, organizational medical management criteria, CMS coverage determinations, and applicable payer-specific policies when evaluating requests.

  • Ensure medically necessary services are appropriately authorized within the designated provider network and benefit structure.

  • Identify requests that do not clearly meet established criteria and appropriately escalate them to the Medical Director for clinical review and determination.

  • Support denial and adverse determination processes in accordance with health plan requirements, organizational policies, and applicable regulatory standards.

  • Identify potential gaps, barriers, or delays in care and proactively escalate issues that may impact patient access or outcomes.

Clinical & Operational Collaboration
  • Partner closely with Medical Directors, Care Management leadership, Clinical Services, providers, physicians, health plans, and other internal stakeholders to facilitate appropriate and timely care.

  • Serve as a subject-matter resource regarding referral, authorization, utilization management, and payer requirements.

  • Provide clear and professional communication regarding authorization status, clinical documentation requirements, benefit limitations, and next steps.

  • Collaborate with providers and clinical teams to obtain necessary clinical documentation and resolve authorization barriers.

  • Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address complex referral, authorization, and benefit-related issues.

  • Escalate complex, high-risk, or unresolved issues to the Utilization Management Supervisor or Manager in a timely manner.

Compliance, Quality & Reporting
  • Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation within the electronic health record and applicable utilization management systems.

  • Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with HIPAA, CMS requirements, health plan contracts, accreditation standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.

  • Support internal and external audits by maintaining accurate documentation and providing requested records and reporting.

  • Assist with health plan reporting, utilization management metrics, quality initiatives, and operational performance monitoring.

  • Identify opportunities to improve referral and authorization workflows, reduce administrative barriers, and enhance operational efficiency.

  • Maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion when handling protected health information and sensitive clinical information.

Communication & Customer Service
  • Communicate professionally and effectively with patients, providers, physicians, health plans, clinical teams, and organizational leadership through telephone, email, electronic health records, and internal communication platforms.

  • Provide timely resolution or appropriate escalation of questions related to referrals, authorizations, benefits, and network requirements.

  • Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and sound judgment in interactions with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Adapt effectively to changing payer requirements, regulatory standards, organizational priorities, and evolving healthcare delivery models.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Strong working knowledge of utilization management, managed care, referral management, and prior authorization processes.

  • Knowledge of health plan benefit structures, provider networks, capitated arrangements, and payer-specific authorization requirements.

  • Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply MCG Guidelines, CMS coverage policies, and medical management criteria.

  • Strong understanding of medical terminology, healthcare delivery systems, and clinical documentation.

  • Excellent critical-thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

  • Ability to evaluate complex information, identify gaps, and determine appropriate next steps.

  • Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent requests and deadlines.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both clinical and non-clinical audiences.

  • Ability to work independently while functioning effectively within a highly collaborative clinical environment.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, electronic health records, and utilization management systems.

  • Experience with Epic or another enterprise-level EHR preferred.

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, compliance, and timely completion of work.

  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities, payer requirements, workflows, and healthcare regulations.

Education
  • Associate degree in Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Medical Assisting, Health Information Management, or a related healthcare field preferred.

  • Equivalent combination of education, clinical training, and relevant healthcare experience may be considered.

  • Additional coursework or training in utilization management, medical terminology, coding, healthcare administration, or managed care is preferred.

Required Experience
  • Minimum of 2 years of utilization management, prior authorization, referral management, or related managed care experience within a health plan, medical group, IPA, ACO, capitated organization, or healthcare system.

  • Demonstrated experience processing referrals and authorizations in a managed care or capitated environment.

  • Experience applying MCG Guidelines or comparable evidence-based medical necessity criteria.

  • Experience working directly with health plans and payer representatives.

  • Experience reviewing clinical documentation and determining whether requests meet established criteria.

  • Experience collaborating with Medical Directors, physicians, nurses, providers, or other clinical stakeholders preferred.

  • Medical Assistant, care coordination, health plan operations, or clinical services experience is highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications
Candidates with any of the following are strongly preferred:
  • Experience in value-based care, risk-based contracting, ACOs, IPAs, or capitated medical groups.

  • Experience working with Medicare Advantage populations and CMS requirements.

  • Experience with complex specialty referrals and multi-disciplinary healthcare services.

  • Experience supporting utilization management audits, payer audits, or regulatory reviews.

  • Experience with Epic or other enterprise EHR platforms.

  • Experience identifying and implementing process improvements within utilization management or clinical operations.

  • Certification in healthcare administration, utilization management, coding, or a related discipline is a plus.

If you are committed to putting our patients first and helping shape the future of care, you belong at Duly.
The compensation for this role includes a base pay range of $39,673.50- $59,510.46 with the actual pay determined by factors such as skills, experience, education, certifications, geographic location, and internal equity. Additional compensation may be available through shift differentials, bonuses, and other incentives. Base pay is only a portion of the total rewards package.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

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