What are the responsibilities and job description for the Certified Application Counselor position at Essen Health Care?
NYREACH (New York Research, Education and Community Health) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity through education, community-based programs, and direct service delivery for some of the Bronx's most vulnerable and underserved residents.
For over five years, NYREACH has been a trusted resource in Bronx County. Through the New York State Social Care Network, our team has conducted health-related social needs (HRSN) screenings and provided services through home-delivered meals and community programs. We deliver every service in a culturally competent, linguistically appropriate, and disability-accessible manner, with Spanish-fluent staff embedded in the communities we serve.
Our team of full-time staff and active community volunteers — including International Medical Graduates and community health workers — partners with local clinics and community organizations to meet residents where they are. We're looking for talented, motivated individuals to join our growing team and help keep Bronx families continuously covered and connected to care.
This position is ideal for individuals who want to make a meaningful impact by keeping vulnerable New Yorkers continuously insured. You'll be part of a community-rooted nonprofit with a proven track record of serving the Bronx, working alongside a team committed to health equity, with real opportunities to grow.
The Certified Application Counselor - Medicaid Recertification Specialist serves as a healthcare professional responsible for comprehensive care coordination combined with a specialized focus on Medicaid recertification and continuity of coverage. This role is a vital link between patients and their health insurance, ensuring that Medicaid-eligible and enrolled patients complete timely renewals, maintain uninterrupted coverage, and meet evolving eligibility requirements. The Counselor manages both the clinical-adjacent and administrative aspects of enrollment across NYREACH's community-based programs and clinical partner sites in the Bronx, with particular attention to patients navigating six-month renewal cycles and community engagement documentation requirements.
Core Function
Care Coordination Providing comprehensive care management for patients with multiple chronic conditions through Health Home, Health Home Plus, HARP, and related programs, ensuring seamless coordination across NYREACH's clinical and community partner network in the Bronx.
Key Responsibilities - Specialized Function Medicaid Recertification & Coverage Continuity
Recertification & renewal assistance Conduct Medicaid recertification and renewal assistance for enrolled and transitioning patients, proactively guiding them through renewal cycles — including six-month renewal requirements under H.R. 1 (effective January 2027) — to prevent avoidable gaps in coverage.
Eligibility screening & outreach Perform insurance status screening; identify eligibility gaps, program mismatches, and patients approaching renewal deadlines; and conduct outbound outreach to at-risk patients before coverage lapses.
Application & renewal processing Complete and submit new applications and renewals through the NY State of Health (NYSOH) enrollment portal, collecting, organizing, and uploading all required documentation at the time of application to ensure complete, high-quality submissions.
Coverage counseling Counsel patients on the differences between Medicaid, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), as well as out-of-pocket costs, metal tiers, tax credits (APTC), and the appeals/complaint process — acting as a neutral party in health plan selection.
Community Engagement documentation Support patients in meeting and documenting H.R. 1 Community Engagement requirements (the 80-hour annual work/volunteer requirement), and identify and document applicable exemptions (e.g., medically frail, caregiver of a dependent child under 13, American Indian/Alaska Native, former foster youth).
Complex-household support Assist patients in mixed-status and undocumented households, addressing public charge concerns and connecting eligible household members to appropriate coverage.
Scheduling & follow-up Manage appointment scheduling and reminder protocols (text/call reminders), maintain appointment availability within established timeframes, and minimize no-shows through consistent follow-up.
Referrals Provide same-day appeal referrals and same-day referrals to the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) for non-MAGI applicants.
Documentation & compliance Maintain accurate, timely documentation in NYSOH and the EHR to support continuity of care and compliant reporting; handle Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in compliance with HIPAA and 45 CFR
Small business & SHOP support (as assigned) Provide one-on-one SHOP enrollment assistance to eligible small employers and educate them on the federal Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.
Required Degree And Certifications
Associate’s degree.
NY State of Health (NYSOH) Assistor/Navigator Certification — obtained within the first weeks of hire; must pass the NYSOH Assistor Certification exam (80% ) before any client contact. Candidates with prior certification strongly preferred; otherwise, ability and willingness to obtain certification within 30 days of hire is required.
Relevant certifications in healthcare, social services, or care management are considered (Certified Application Counselor (CAC), CPHQ, CCM, or similar credentials).
Preferred Experience
1-2 years of direct experience with Medicaid enrollment, recertification, eligibility determination, care coordination, or case management in healthcare.
Experience navigating the NY State of Health Marketplace and/or Certified Application Counselor / Navigator work.
Experience with HRSN screening, Social Care Network (SCN) programs, or similar systems-navigation work.
Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, Essential Plan, QHPs, managed care, and health insurance processes.
Familiarity with MAGI vs. non-MAGI eligibility, Medicaid spenddown, and APTC reconciliation.
Comfortable being on the phone throughout the day with high outreach and follow-up volume.
Familiarity with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, preferably eCW.
Previous experience in outreach, community engagement, enrollment, or social services.
Understanding of HIPAA regulations, 45 CFR
Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex eligibility and coverage information clearly and impartially.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with diverse patient populations.
Skills & Competencies
Bilingual Fluent in Spanish and English (Preferred).
Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex eligibility and coverage information clearly and impartially.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with diverse patient populations.
NYREACH is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace
For over five years, NYREACH has been a trusted resource in Bronx County. Through the New York State Social Care Network, our team has conducted health-related social needs (HRSN) screenings and provided services through home-delivered meals and community programs. We deliver every service in a culturally competent, linguistically appropriate, and disability-accessible manner, with Spanish-fluent staff embedded in the communities we serve.
Our team of full-time staff and active community volunteers — including International Medical Graduates and community health workers — partners with local clinics and community organizations to meet residents where they are. We're looking for talented, motivated individuals to join our growing team and help keep Bronx families continuously covered and connected to care.
This position is ideal for individuals who want to make a meaningful impact by keeping vulnerable New Yorkers continuously insured. You'll be part of a community-rooted nonprofit with a proven track record of serving the Bronx, working alongside a team committed to health equity, with real opportunities to grow.
The Certified Application Counselor - Medicaid Recertification Specialist serves as a healthcare professional responsible for comprehensive care coordination combined with a specialized focus on Medicaid recertification and continuity of coverage. This role is a vital link between patients and their health insurance, ensuring that Medicaid-eligible and enrolled patients complete timely renewals, maintain uninterrupted coverage, and meet evolving eligibility requirements. The Counselor manages both the clinical-adjacent and administrative aspects of enrollment across NYREACH's community-based programs and clinical partner sites in the Bronx, with particular attention to patients navigating six-month renewal cycles and community engagement documentation requirements.
Core Function
Care Coordination Providing comprehensive care management for patients with multiple chronic conditions through Health Home, Health Home Plus, HARP, and related programs, ensuring seamless coordination across NYREACH's clinical and community partner network in the Bronx.
Key Responsibilities - Specialized Function Medicaid Recertification & Coverage Continuity
Recertification & renewal assistance Conduct Medicaid recertification and renewal assistance for enrolled and transitioning patients, proactively guiding them through renewal cycles — including six-month renewal requirements under H.R. 1 (effective January 2027) — to prevent avoidable gaps in coverage.
Eligibility screening & outreach Perform insurance status screening; identify eligibility gaps, program mismatches, and patients approaching renewal deadlines; and conduct outbound outreach to at-risk patients before coverage lapses.
Application & renewal processing Complete and submit new applications and renewals through the NY State of Health (NYSOH) enrollment portal, collecting, organizing, and uploading all required documentation at the time of application to ensure complete, high-quality submissions.
Coverage counseling Counsel patients on the differences between Medicaid, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), as well as out-of-pocket costs, metal tiers, tax credits (APTC), and the appeals/complaint process — acting as a neutral party in health plan selection.
Community Engagement documentation Support patients in meeting and documenting H.R. 1 Community Engagement requirements (the 80-hour annual work/volunteer requirement), and identify and document applicable exemptions (e.g., medically frail, caregiver of a dependent child under 13, American Indian/Alaska Native, former foster youth).
Complex-household support Assist patients in mixed-status and undocumented households, addressing public charge concerns and connecting eligible household members to appropriate coverage.
Scheduling & follow-up Manage appointment scheduling and reminder protocols (text/call reminders), maintain appointment availability within established timeframes, and minimize no-shows through consistent follow-up.
Referrals Provide same-day appeal referrals and same-day referrals to the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) for non-MAGI applicants.
Documentation & compliance Maintain accurate, timely documentation in NYSOH and the EHR to support continuity of care and compliant reporting; handle Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in compliance with HIPAA and 45 CFR
- 155.260; and adhere to Navigator/Assistor conflict-of-interest standards.
Small business & SHOP support (as assigned) Provide one-on-one SHOP enrollment assistance to eligible small employers and educate them on the federal Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.
Required Degree And Certifications
Associate’s degree.
NY State of Health (NYSOH) Assistor/Navigator Certification — obtained within the first weeks of hire; must pass the NYSOH Assistor Certification exam (80% ) before any client contact. Candidates with prior certification strongly preferred; otherwise, ability and willingness to obtain certification within 30 days of hire is required.
Relevant certifications in healthcare, social services, or care management are considered (Certified Application Counselor (CAC), CPHQ, CCM, or similar credentials).
Preferred Experience
1-2 years of direct experience with Medicaid enrollment, recertification, eligibility determination, care coordination, or case management in healthcare.
Experience navigating the NY State of Health Marketplace and/or Certified Application Counselor / Navigator work.
Experience with HRSN screening, Social Care Network (SCN) programs, or similar systems-navigation work.
Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, Essential Plan, QHPs, managed care, and health insurance processes.
Familiarity with MAGI vs. non-MAGI eligibility, Medicaid spenddown, and APTC reconciliation.
Comfortable being on the phone throughout the day with high outreach and follow-up volume.
Familiarity with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, preferably eCW.
Previous experience in outreach, community engagement, enrollment, or social services.
Understanding of HIPAA regulations, 45 CFR
- 155.260, and patient privacy requirements. Skills & Competencies
Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex eligibility and coverage information clearly and impartially.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with diverse patient populations.
Skills & Competencies
Bilingual Fluent in Spanish and English (Preferred).
Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex eligibility and coverage information clearly and impartially.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with diverse patient populations.
NYREACH is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace