Benefits and Eligibility Specialist

Benefit & Eligibility Specialists (BESs) are responsible for making financial eligibility determinations for Medicaid programs. BESs provide customer service to diverse populations in a variety of settings that may include in person, phone, and/or call center.

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Completing financial eligibility determinations for ALTCS, SSI MAO, Medicare Savings, KidsCare, Specialty Medicaid and the FTW programs following productivity, timeliness, and quality guidelines. Scheduling and conducting interviews. Communicate with customers after the interview to include requesting information, status updates and final decision.
• Requesting eligibility verification from multiple sources and reviewing documentation in various systems.
• Researching, following, and applying prescribed policies and procedures.
• Documenting throughout the application process as needed, actions taken, relevant case information, and eligibility related material in case records until final case determination is made using HEAplus system.
• Participate in team meetings, AMS Process improvement, and assisting with special projects.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Knowledge:
• A call center environment.
• Medicare and Medicaid Programs.
• State and Federal rules and statutes.
• ALTCS, SSI MAO, Medicare Savings, KidsCare, Specialty Medicaid, and the FTW financial eligibility policies and procedures.
• Budget calculations used to determine eligibility.
• Community resources.
• Arizona Management System (AMS).

Skills:
• Written and verbal communication.
• Conducting research.
• Investigative interviewing techniques.
• Two way interaction and exchange of information with customers either face to face or over the phone.
• Interpersonal relationships.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Manage multiple tasks in a caseload.
• Self-prioritize job functions as needed.
• Mathematical calculations.
• Phone etiquette.

Abilities:
• Organize and prioritize a caseload.
• Communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Effectively document actions taken and decisions made.
• Accurately calculate mathematical equations.
• Apply current laws, rules and regulations in making eligibility determinations.
• Determine share of cost amounts.
• Interview effectively when dealing with all community populations.
• Apply customer service techniques; empathy, active listening, and remaining calm during customer interactions.
• Efficiently interact with family members and other entities.
• Effectively organize and prioritize tasks.
• Use logic and problem solving techniques.
• Analytical skills.
• Use numerous computer databases, systems, and programs to include HEAplus, PMMIS, ACE, FORTIS, AZTEC, RightFax, Microsoft, email and word processing applications.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Work in an inbound automatic call distributor (ACD) environment.

Minimum: Must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) and 6 months customer service related work experience. Must successfully pass a test appropriate to area of assignment. 

Preferred: 1 year customer service related work experience. Bilingual (Spanish) a plus but not required.

• Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).

Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing careers@azahcccs.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.