New

Behavioral Health Care Advocate Utilization Management - Remote

Optum
401(k)
United States, North Carolina, Raleigh
Oct 21, 2025
The Optum family of businesses, is seeking a Behavioral / Mental Health Care Advocate to join our team. As a member of the Optum Behavioral Care team, you'll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. As a Behavioral / Mental Health Care Advocate you will be responsible for utilization review of behavioral health and substance abuse cases. You'll have a direct impact on the lives of our members as you recommend and manage the appropriate level of care throughout the entire treatment plan. Primary Responsibilities: Day to day management and administration of behavioral health benefits for facility-based care Utilize clinical assessments to determining appropriate levels of care Evaluate additional clinical services are needed Effectively coordinate benefits and transitions between various levels of care Identify ways to add value to treatment plans and consult with facility staff to improve outcomes Actively assist in identifying appropriate community-based services for discharge planning for the duration of the course of care Required Qualifications: Independently Licensed Master's degree in psychology, Social Work, Counseling or Marriage or Family Counseling, or Licensed Ph.D., or Psy.D, or an RN with 2+ years of experience in behavioral health Current, Active, independent, and unrestricted Licenses in the state of North Carolina (LCSW, LMFT, LCMHC, Ph.D, or Psy.D) 2+ years of experience in a related mental health setting Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs (Word, Outlook, Internet) Willing to work up to 4 holidays per year on a rotating basis (depending on business need) Dedicated space in home for home office Access to high-speed internet from home (Broadband Cable, DSL, Fiber) Preferred Qualifications: Experience in an inpatient setting Experience working in an environment that requires coordination of benefits and utilization of multiple groups and resources for patients Experience working with Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid lines of business Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse Experience determining levels of care Demonstrated ability to handle calls in a queue, inbound or outbound Proven excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy. Explore opportunities at Optum Behavioral Care.* We're revolutionizing behavioral health care delivery for individuals, clinicians and the entire health care system. Together, we are bringing high-end medical service, compassionate care and industry leading solutions to our most vulnerable patient populations. Our holistic approach addresses the physical, mental and social needs of our patients wherever they may be - helping patients access and navigate care anytime and anywhere. We're connecting care to create a seamless health journey for patients across care settings. Join our team, it's your chance to improve the lives of millions while Caring. Connecting. Growing together. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $58,800 to $105,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants. At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission. OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.