Job Description

Posting number: POSTING ONLY (E484)

Department: Health Coverage Unit

Job classification: Health Benefits Analyst II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Community Services, Health Services, Public Health, Customer Service, Community and Social Services

San Mateo County Health is seeking well-qualified, Portuguese-speaking Health Benefits Analysts II (HBA) - Limited Term - Portuguese or Spanish Speaking Required for the Health Coverage Unit, to perform a variety of tasks involved in determining eligibility and enrollment in healthcare financial assistance programs for families and individuals including screening and assisting with the application process for County, State and Federal health insurance programs; determine initial and continuing eligibility for one or more programs in accordance with established procedures; and coordinating and conducting outreach, enrollment, retention and utilization activities. Incumbents may be assigned to the San Mateo County Health, Health Plan of San Mateo, or San Mateo Medical Center, which includes outlying clinics in various locations throughout the County.

Currently, there is a Limited Term vacancy. The approximate duration of this assignment is one year. The successful hires will work at various locations throughout the county and will provide public health coverage enrollment assistance to San Mateo County residents.

Under general supervision, Health Benefits Analysts are responsible for interviewing clients, assessing client financial status and determining eligibility for healthcare financial assistance programs. They are expected to have full knowledge of regulations and procedures, work with independence of action and use judgment in making decisions.

The ideal candidate will be able to work with clients to ensure eligibility for and enrollment in healthcare programs; work independently with minimal supervision using initiative and sound independent judgment; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; use Portuguese speaking skills in providing services; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. The ideal candidate should also have relative knowledge and experience in the eligibility and enrollment processes for various public health coverage programs.

NOTE: This is a limited term, at-will position. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan.

Examples of duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interview clients to obtain pertinent information regarding eligibility for healthcare financial programs.
• Assist the public with enrollment in programs to assist with medical coverage such as Medi-Cal, Covered California, Access and Care for Everyone (ACE), Charity Care and Discounted HealthCare (DHC).
• Provide a variety of routine to difficult patient services office support within the Health Department and San Mateo Medical Center.
• Serve as the initial contact for many low-income clients seeking free or low-cost insurance and will help guide them through the enrollment process.
• Work closely with out-stationed Human Services Agency Benefits Analysts and clinic staff in order to finalize eligibility determinations for Federal, State and County funded programs.
• Participate in policy training for all programs and all relevant refresher courses.
• Interact with staff from the community-based organizations, the Health Plan of San Mateo, the Human Services Agency, the Public Health Division, and labor organizations.
• Attend staff meetings as assigned.
• Re-code and recall visits.
• Participate in outreach events in coordination with community-based organizations to disseminate information regarding health plans; also includes off-site hours at community centers and school sites to give access to parents interested in signing up for programs.
• Administer utilization and retention activities in regard to healthcare programs to ensure families understand program benefits and that covered services are being accessed.

Qualifications

Language Requirement:

• The ability to speak, read, and write fluently in both English and Portuguese/Spanish is required.

Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Health Benefits Analyst II: One year of experience performing assessment, placement and/or healthcare financial assistance eligibility work within the last five years.

Knowledge of

• Public and community resources and programs.
• The interrelationships of the various disciplines in the health and human services field.
• Interviewing techniques.
• County, State and Federal healthcare financial assistance program policies and regulations.
• Office procedures and practices, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Basic record keeping principles and practices.
• Automated systems.
• Workload planning and prioritizing techniques.

Skill/Ability to

• Organize and maintain a heavy workload on a current basis and within set deadlines.
• Follow instructions.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Work well under pressure.
• Work in accordance with established guidelines.
• Make independent decisions.
• Assume responsibility for assigned tasks.
• Deal effectively with divergent needs of customers.
• Interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations.
• Prepare, maintain and interpret reports and records.

Supplemental information

Apply immediately. This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. Resumés will be accepted until the position is filled, and selection may be made at any time within the process.

NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submittals that do not include all required elements (Cover Letter, Resume and responses to the supplemental questions) will not be considered. Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

Analyst: Debbie Kong (08172026) (Health Benefits Analyst II - E484)