Health Attorney

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment, opportunities for individuals with conviction histories, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions. The New York State Department of Health awarded CSS a five-year contract to run the Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN), the statewide Ombudsprogram for Managed Long Term Care (MLTC). For more information, see http://icannys.org.

CSS seeks to hire a Health Attorney to provide consumer assistance to Medicaid managed care enrollees who need long term care or behavioral health services.

Job Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Under supervision of Associate Supervising Attorney, provide information, education, advice, navigational services and appeal representation to consumers through own caseload.
• Write health insurance administrative appeal memoranda; review and analyze medical records; assemble and submit appeal packets. These may include Medicaid internal plan appeals, external appeals through the NY State Department of Financial Services, and other administrative appeal processes.
• Coordinate with state government personnel, including those at the Department of Health, Office of Mental Health, and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, on policy, public education, and sentinel issues
• Develop and train on ICAN protocols as well as substantive HARP and behavioral health topics
• Act as the point-person for ICAN on issues affecting consumers with behavioral health needs
• Respond to live calls during alternating shifts on the Helpline, which is open Monday-Friday from 8am-6pm.
• Conduct client interviewing, case intake, and voicemail callbacks.
• Conduct legal and policy research as needed on health insurance policy, benefits, laws and other health consumer rights and responsibilities.
• Help identify systemic trends or practices that adversely affect clients and work closely with senior CSS staff and other appropriate stake holders.
• Other responsibilities identified by Supervisor.

Job Qualifications:

• Must have earned a JD degree and be admitted to the practice of law in NY.
• A minimum of two years' experience providing assistance to consumers and/or advocates on health insurance and health care access issues.
• Experience advocating on the behalf of healthcare consumers to health insurance companies and health care providers preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and patience working with people with complex health needs.
• Experience involving responsibility for actions which directly impact the lives of other people.
• Diplomatic skills working with key stakeholders.
• Research and data base management skills preferred; intermediate proficiency in computer applications (including Outlook and Microsoft Office) and websites required (we use a web-based secure case management database on the Salesforce platform)
• Ability to provide information in a fair and impartial manner which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, and disability accessible, for the consumers, including individuals with limited English proficiency.
• Written and spoken fluency in Spanish or a language other than English strongly preferred.

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary range for this position is $84,710.00. Community Service Society provides a comprehensive employee benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance, annual performance-based bonus, 403b retirement savings plan, defined benefit retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits plan, EAP, and more in addition to paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal days.

CSS currently offers a hybrid work environment requiring onsite work at CSS' office at least two days per week and three days per week remote work. CSS will provide laptop and other equipment necessary to perform the job from home, but the worker must use their own internet connection.

***Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, and writing sample at the time of application submission.***