Medicare Assistance Counselor
Company Overview:
Health disparities among New Yorkers are large, persistent and increasing. Public Health Solutions (PHS) exists to change that trajectory and support New Yorkers and their families in achieving optimal health and building pathways to reach their potential. As the largest public health nonprofit serving New York City, we improve health outcomes and help communities thrive by providing services directly to low-income families, supporting community-based organizations through our long-standing public-private partnerships, and bridging the gap between healthcare and community services. We focus on a wide range of public health issues including food and nutrition, health insurance, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, tobacco control, and HIV/AIDS. Learn more about our work at healthsolutions.org.
Program Description:
PHS’ Community Health and Nutrition Access Program helps New York residents obtain free or low-cost health insurance coverage, apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as Food Stamps), and through our WIC program, provides nutrition education sessions led by WIC nutritionists on healthy eating and physical activity, breastfeeding support, and eWIC cards to purchase nutritious foods.
Our staff members are culturally and linguistically competent and identify with the communities they serve. They help clients navigate through what can be a complicated and confusing application process, step by step. Each year, we help over 22,000 people apply for or renew free or low-cost health insurance coverage, 14,000 people to apply for SNAP, and 35,000 eligible pregnant and nursing women and children up to five years of age to enroll in the New York State WIC (Women Infants and Children) Program.
Position Summary:
Under the general supervision of the Program Manager – Medicare Assistance, the Medicare Assistance Counselor is responsible for performing outreach to individuals who may be eligible for Medicare and assisting eligible individuals with their Medicare applications, as well as handling complaints and concerns regarding their applications. S/he will attend all required trainings and also conduct community outreach.
Specifically, the Medicare Assistance Counselor will:
- Maintain current knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and relevant information related to the FE-ABD and Medicare Assistance programs.
- Conduct outreach to individuals identified as potentially Medicare eligible via the Medicare Assistance helpline and by mail, meeting targets for timely contact and follow up with recipients.
- Inform potential Medicare enrollees of the requirement to apply for Medicare to maintain their Medicaid coverage and assist applicants in obtaining proof of the status of their Medicare application as required by the LDSS/ HRA.
- Educate individuals about Medicare benefits, eligibility requirements, and related programs including Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program.
- Educate consumers on how to apply for Medicare with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and assist potential Medicare enrollees in completing the application by phone, online, or in-person, including providing an overview of required documentation and making appointments and resolving appointment issues with SSA.
- Follow up with those individuals who complete an application for Medicare to ensure submission to SSA and monitor the enrollment determination and provide any additional support as needed.
- Consistently track all required outcomes using an outreach tracking database.
- Assist incoming referrals from Medicaid FE staff.
- Travel to relevant government offices.
- Conduct home visits.
- Provide bilingual assistance to clients when needed.
- Provide referrals for other public benefits and support services as needed.
- Attend all mandatory trainings related to the Medicare Assistance program.
- Assist Managers and Senior Staff on other projects, as directed.
- Ability to travel through New York City’s 5 boroughs
Qualifications and Experience:
- High school diploma/GED minimum, associate degree Preferred.
- Bilingual required (preferred Arabic, Russian).
- Customer service experience preferred.
- Familiarity with Medicaid and Medicare preferred.
- Strong communication, organizational, and computer skills.
- Ability to travel around New York City’s five boroughs.
- Must have the ability to thrive in a work environment that is respectful, goal-oriented, and focused, while maintaining work-life balance.
- Dedicated to helping improve the lives of disenfranchised and marginalized communities.
- An excellent team player with the ability to be flexible.
- Work collaboratively both internally and externally; and engage in consensus-based decision making.
- Embrace diversity and possess good people and cultural competency skills.
- Organized; detail-oriented and able to work independently; have excellent communication skills (listening, written, oral and public speaking).
- Fluent in standard computer operation with good data entry skills.
- Experience working with Medicaid, health insurance navigation, and/or community health programs (preferred).
- Ability to lift and carry 20 lbs.
NOTE: All applicants must comply with PHS’ vaccination policy. Effective October 1, 2021, employees will be required to provide verification that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (with an FDA-authorized vaccine).
PHS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and veterans