Patient Services Advocate

LifeLong Medical Care is seeking a compassionate and organized Patient Services Advocate (PSA) to assist new and established patients in determining eligibility and enrolling patients in public and private healthcare assistance programs. Working as part of a team, the PSA plays a vital role in helping underserved populations access health services, including Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and Covered California. This position involves community outreach, patient navigation, and registrar duties, particularly focusing on underserved and vulnerable populations such as those experiencing homelessness. PSAs will conduct outreach and enrollment at shelters, encampments, and community events in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to meeting patients where they are is essential to this role.

This is a full time, grant funded, benefit eligible position in Berkeley.

This position is represented by SEIU-UHW. Salaries and benefits are set by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and an employee in this position must remain a member in good standing of SEIU-UHW, as defined in the CBA.

LifeLong Medical Care is a multi-site, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a rich history of providing innovative healthcare and social services to a wonderfully diverse patient community. Our patient-centered health home is a dynamic place to work, practice, and grow. We have over 15 primary care health centers and deliver integrated services including psychosocial, referrals, chronic disease management, dental, health education, home visits, and much, much more.

Benefits

Compensation: $22/hour. We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision (including dependent and domestic partner coverage), generous leave benefits including ten paid holidays, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) retirement savings plan.

Responsibilities

• Interview and screen new and returning patients to determine eligibility for healthcare coverage and other assistance programs, including Medi-Cal, Covered California, CalFresh, HealthPac, and Contra Costa CARES.
• Assist patients in completing and submitting applications for public benefits and health insurance programs.
• Register new patients, schedule appointments, and provide information about LifeLong Medical Care’s locations, services, and programs.
• Track and report data related to enrollment and outreach efforts.
• Schedule appointments for patients to meet with On-Site Eligibility Workers.
• Provide follow-up assistance to patients, including tracking outcomes and ensuring retention of benefits.
• Advocate for patients with county and state agencies, including assistance with appeals and addressing issues with eligibility.
• Conduct outreach to new Medi-Cal members assigned to LifeLong, assisting with registration and integration into care.
• Complete all required training and testing to become a Certified Enrollment Counselor.
• Participate in all enrollment-related meetings and trainings.
• Utilize Epic and other electronic systems to input patient data and research patient histories.
• Collaborate with community organizations and county offices to reach uninsured patients and assist them with insurance and benefits enrollment.
• Conduct outreach at community events to raise awareness of health and social services programs.
• Verify patient eligibility and notify patients of any changes in coverage or eligibility status.
• Coordinate with internal staff and partner organizations to resolve patient issues effectively.
• Perform other duties as assigned.