JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute

Title: UTILIZATION REVIEW PHYSICIAN

Location: Hackensack, NJ

Base: Starting at $214,240 Annually

Bonus: Some jobs may be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate

401k matching: Retirement benefits included (details not specified)

Summary

The Utilization Review Physician ensures regulatory compliance and oversees utilization management activities including patient status determinations, hospital reimbursement, clinical compliance, and case management. The role involves collaboration with medical staff and clinical teams, education, retrospective medical record review, appeals management, and strategy development to reduce clinical denials. The physician acts as a subject matter expert in utilization management criteria and supports technology implementation and clinical documentation improvement efforts.

Added on: 06/30/2025

Full Job Description

Utilization Review Physician

HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MED CNTR Hackensack, New Jersey

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Requisition # 2024-155583 ShiftDay StatusFull Time with Benefits

Overview

The Utilization Review Physician collaborates with the healthcare team in the management and resolution of activities that assure the integrity of clinical records for the patient population and Hackensack University Medical Center. These include but are not limited to utilization review, hospital reimbursement, clinical compliance, case management, and transitions of care, as outlined in the responsibilities below.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

Regulatory compliance Provides direction and support regarding CMS & NJDOH regulations governing Utilization Management & Clinical documentation. Oversight for accurate patient status determinations - OBS vs. Inpatient Liaison to the Medical Staff supporting Utilization Management Committee processes Hospital Based Appeals Management Provides guidance and interpretation on issues of medical appropriateness and level of care needs Liaison between medical staff and other clinical staff by being: Excellent communicator Broad spectrum clinical knowledge base Expert resource related to admission criteria, observation status criteria and documentation requirements Education/Advisory Physician Educator Provide formal educational lectures and engage in frequent informal meetings

ii. Retrospective Medical Record Documentation Review

iii. Clarifying ambiguous or conflicting documentation

iv. Target DRGs Reviews

Use of case manager as a resource Uses guidelines to evaluate patient status based on length of stay, level of care requirements and Medicare regulations, and Major Complications or Comorbidities (MCC) / Complications or Comorbidities (CC) categories documentation and identification Tools to assist with care coordination decision making Liaison with 3rd party payers as needed Leadership, Staff Management and Organizational Strategy Development & implementation of Utilization Management strategies to assure appropriate health care delivery in appropriate settingb. Provides guidance & support for executing targeted Utilization Management Strategies and relevant Improvement Works with Clinical Delivery and Operations leadership to support, and provide assistance and support in overall medical management effectiveness, benchmarked utilization and cost management (UM) goals clinical improvement objectives Interfaces with Clinical Team in regards to Utilization Management and evidence based medicine Provides professional support to the functions within the Utilization Management Department Provides periodic written and verbal reports and updates regarding Utilization Management as required Promotes and supports a working environment consistent with the values-based culture of Hackensack Meridian Health Supports the Revenue Cycle Clinical Team in planning, coordinating and executing protocols,

policies and strategies within the department

Partners with Senior Leadership and other stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives through successful implementation/completion of strategic initiatives Develop strategies across all functional departments to reduce clinical denials by: Peer-to Peer (P2P) Concurrent appealsii. Written Concurrent appeals

iii. Recovery Audit Contractors & levels of appeal

iv. Root cause analysis & trends

Participation in Managed Care Contracting & distribution of contract terms where appropriate Utilization Review Process Subject Matter Expert in the use & application of Utilization Management Criteria ( i.e. MCG, Xsolis) Supports & Participates in pre-admission review, utilization management, and concurrent and

retrospective review process.

Review and facilitate appropriate Level of Care Determinations (Inpatient, Observation,Outpatient/Ambulatory) Conducts and/or supports improvement and outcomes studies related to Utilization Management (Self-Audits & other auditing activities) Electronic Health Record (EHR)/Other Technology Partners with Operations and Senior Leadership to assess and implement technology Collaborates with the CDI team as needed Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Medical degree from a recognized Medical School. Completion of a residency program from an accredited medical institution. Minimum of 3 years medical practice experience. Ability to effectively communicate with professional peers, department members and all levels of administration.

Education, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Preferred

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Medical Doctor License.

Licenses And Certifications Preferred

Maintains at least one Medical Board Certification. At least two years experience in Utilization Review processes including knowledge of regulatory requirements relative to performing status determinations and Peer to Peer denial interactions with medical directors of third-party payers.

Compensation

Starting at $214,240 Annually

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.

Job Duties

The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to:

Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness. Experience: Years of relevant work experience. Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training. Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies. Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location. Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization. Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.

Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.

In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH (HMH) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available to an employer the results of a genetic test, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, national origin, nationality, ancestry, disability, marital status, liability for military service, or status as a protected veteran.

Our Network

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is a Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Facility

As a courtesy to assist you in your job search, we would like to send your resume to other areas of our Hackensack Meridian Health network who may have current openings that fit your skills and experience.

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Awards We’ve Received

2023

US News & World Report 2023

HUMC - #1 Hospital in NJ & #5 in NY Metro Area

2023

US News & World Report 2023

Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital - #1 Children’s Hospital in NJ

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US News & World Report 2023

JSUMC - #6 Hospital in NJ

2022

2023

2023 & 2022 Magnet Designations

for 9 HMH Institutions

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Newsweek 2022 Best Hospitals USA

HUMC - #57

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Newsweek 2022 America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers

Blake Recovery Center at Carrier Clinic - #2

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Diversity Inc. 2023

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Becker’s Hospital Review 2022

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