Medicare Counselor

Boulder County's Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Community Services department, is seeking to hire a Medicare Counselor. Medicare Counselors are a focal point in Boulder County for independent information and advocacy regarding Medicare and other health insurance plans so beneficiaries and their families receive the best health insurance coverage possible; we educate, empower, and advocate for Medicare beneficiaries. SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) counselors provide free, unbiased, up to date information and help to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers, so they can make informed healthcare decisions. 

The Medicare Counseling Team is supportive and collaborative with clients and within the team. 

Responsibilities include: consumer education, and counseling services for Medicare eligibles and their families and caregivers, program development, and coalition building.

This is a grant funded, full-time, benefited position that will work Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. This position will work out of  St. Vrain Community Hub in Longmont, CO. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt.

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month(Must not have been employed at Boulder County during the 12 months prior to re-hire date to qualify).Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions.

Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information. 

1. Education and counseling activities/responsibilities:
   1. Conduct regular educational seminars throughout the county, presenting both independently and with community partners; be informed and able to answer questions from the public about current and future Medicare policy
   2. Develop both technical training materials for professionals (community service providers) and consumer-friendly handouts for beneficiaries;
   3. Adapt education efforts to meet the needs of diverse groups and individuals, incorporating culturally relevant information into staff training and community presentations
   4. Advise consumers on appropriate coordination of benefits, including being knowledgeable about primary vs. secondary payor issues, and how Medicare coordinates benefits with employer plans, retiree plans, COBRA, military and Veterans benefits, Medicaid, Railroad Retirement Board, the Federal Black Lung Program, worker’s compensation claims, liability and no-fault claims
   5. Educate consumers on the multiple avenues for minimizing prescription drug costs, including Medicare Part D prescription coverage, Patient Assistance Programs, veterans and military retiree benefits, public and private insurance plans such as retirement plans, Medicaid and others
   6. Provide education to the public on Medicare fraud
   7. Conduct meetings with older adults, caregivers and people with disabilities to educate and assist with Medicare related issues.
2. Advocacy activities:
   1. Advocate for the rights and needs of Medicare beneficiaries and their families in Boulder County
   2. Instruct beneficiaries on how to request expedited appeals for inappropriate discharges from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies
   3. Exercise autonomous judgment in advising Medicare beneficiaries about their rights; this includes knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), complaint and grievance procedures, insurance guaranteed issue laws, underwriting and pre-existing condition exclusions, privacy and confidentiality issues, discrimination issues and issues around Advance Beneficiary Notices (ABN)
   4. Articulate how Medicare policy impacts clients’ rights and benefits.
3. Maintain current knowledge base:
   1. Have an understanding of Medigap supplement policies and Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D prescription drug plans; be capable of informing beneficiaries on what criteria to use in evaluating different policies.
   2. Provide assistance in navigating Medicaid with Medicare; resolve issues with eligibility qualifications and changes; process Low Income Subsidy applications and immediate medication needs.
4. Maintain understanding of how Medicare coverage interacts with liability claim’s responsibility. 
5. Be a resource to and provide support to program volunteers. 
6. Performs related duties as required.
7. May be reassigned in emergency situations.

PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

BACKGROUND CHECK:

• A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation

• Must be able to move and transport materials weighing up to 50 pounds to various locations for outreach and education. 

• Must be able to read small print to gather medication information.

•  Must obtain SHIP certification within 1 month of starting position (with assistance from program).

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
  • Additional compensation will be provided based on the use of bilingual skills. 
• Experience developing and presenting educational programs, working with elders/families to implement and coordinate a human service program
•  Experience with medical insurance, managed care organizations, and Medicare

• Self-directed and ability to work independently and in teams
• Good problem-solving ability
• Ability to build coalitions with community groups to plan and implement programs and services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work well with elders, people with disabilities, their families, agencies, and other employees.
• Ability to interact effectively with culturally diverse elders and their families.
• Proficiency with MS Office programs and internet research required.

Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Salary : $62,520 - $90,048