Health Attorney

The Community Service Society (CSS) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that has been at the forefront of public policy innovations that support low-income New Yorkers for more than 170 years. CSS’s Health Initiatives Department runs several statewide programs that help New Yorkers find and use their health insurance or otherwise access health care. In October 2018, CSS launched New York State’s first ombudsman program targeting the needs of people with mental illness and/or substance use disorder, Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP).

The CHAMP program assists people who need help getting and using health insurance coverage for substance use disorder and mental health care. CHAMP serves people in need of care as well as their family members, care providers, and other advocates. The CHAMP operates statewide through a toll-free live-answer helpline and in partnership with eight community-based organizations and three specialist organizations.

CSS seeks to hire a Health Attorney to provide high level consumer assistance to people with mental health conditions or substance use disorder and/or their family members and health care providers who need assistance with navigating their health coverage, appealing denials of care, negotiating medical debt, and otherwise accessing health care.

Job Responsibilities:

• Write appeals and complaints and provide hearing representation to clients appealing denials of health insurance coverage.
• Respond to live calls from consumers, family members or providers on the CHAMP Helpline, as needed, including during extended Helpline hours (until 7pm) approximately once per week.
• Represent consumers in medical debt negotiations with providers and debt collectors.
• Provide information, education, advice, and navigational services to beneficiaries on how to successfully utilize health insurance and/or care.
• Develop cutting edge legal strategies and policy remedies that address consumer health coverage needs.
• Conduct legal and policy research as needed on health insurance policy, benefits, laws and other health consumer rights and responsibilities.
• Provide trainings and presentations to beneficiaries, family members, advocates, providers and others, as needed.
• Prepare training materials and fact sheets, as needed.
• Maintain thorough case records of services provided, advice, appeals and/or referrals.
• Help identify systemic trends or practices that adversely affect clients and work closely with senior CSS staff and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Other responsibilities identified by Supervisor.

Job Qualifications:

• Must have earned a JD degree; admission to practice law in New York State is preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience assisting consumers or advocates with health insurance, health care access, benefits, or coverage issues.
• Experience advocating on behalf of healthcare consumers to health insurance companies and health care providers preferred.
• Experience working with people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders preferred.
• Excellent oral communication skills and patience working with people with complex health needs, including mental health and substance use disorders.
• Educational background that includes excellent reading comprehension, organized thought, and clear concise writing.
• Written and spoken fluency in Spanish or a language other than English strongly preferred
• Diplomatic skills working with key stakeholders.
• Ability to speak, type and write clearly, concisely, persuasively and keep detailed notes of all communications.
• Research and database 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).

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary range for this position is $93,393.00. 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 a robust paid time off policy.

Physical Requirements: Office work consisting of sitting, use of a computer, virtual meetings, presentations, and other related duties.

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.

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

CSS is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

CSS complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing employment, recruitment, and hiring.