Medical Director - Pain Management Specialist - Remote

Company: Optum
Location: Glendale
Posted on: July 2, 2025

Job Description:

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. Responsible, in part, as a member of a team of medical directors, for the overall quality, effectiveness and coordination of the medical review services. Additionally, performs Utilization Management reviews and directs/coordinates aspects of the utilization review staff activities, and participates in the Quality Improvement programs for the company. The Medical Director also provides/assists in the direction and oversight in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and clinical criteria for all medical programs and services and may serve as a liaison between physicians, and other medical service providers in selected situations. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. Primary Responsibilities: - Conduct coverage reviews based on individual member plan benefits and national and proprietary coverage review policies, render coverage determinations. The focus of the coverage reviews will be various types of musculoskeletal and other medical/surgical services which will include prior authorizations for Pain Management procedures ( e.g. spinal chord stimulators, pain pumps, nerve ablations, facet injections, etc.) - Document clinical review findings, actions and outcomes in accordance with policies, and regulatory and accreditation requirements. Supports compliance with regulatory agency standards and requirements (e.g., CMS, NCQA, URAC, state / federal and third-party payers) - Works with clinical staff to coordinate all the necessary UM processes and provides feedback to staff who do portions of the UM reviews - Participation in Training regarding URAC, NCQA, Regulatory Compliance, Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, HIPAA, and department specific training as applicable - Discusses cases and clinical situations with treating providers telephonically during scheduled hours - Participates in periodic clinical conferences / calls and in ongoing internal performance consistency reviews - Be knowledgeable in interpreting existing benefit language and policies in the process of clinical coverage reviews - Participate in rotational call coverage. Is available for occasional, periodic weekend and holiday as needed telephonic and remote computer expedited clinical decisions - Provide Clinical support for staff that conduct initial reviews - Good understanding of professional performance measurement and related possible discussions/interventions with selected providers/groups/organizations You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in. Required Qualifications: - Current, active, and fully unrestricted medical license - Current Board Certification and must maintain pain subspecialty with specialty in either PM&R or Anesthesia - 5 years clinical experience post residency in Pain subspecialty - Proficient with MS Office (MS Word, Email, Excel, and Power Point) - Excellent computer skills and ability to learn new systems and software - Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work over the telephone with other colleagues including physicians, nurses, PTs, OTs and other similar personnel - Participate in rotational call coverage - Must be willing and able to obtain additional medical licenses as needed Preferred Qualifications: - License in North Carolina or New Mexico a plus - Experience in managed care UM activities - Must possess leadership skills in working with other physicians, knowledge of the overall medical community and the local / regional managed care environments - Experience with integration of clinical and financial data, development of utilization and performance reporting tools, and communication of performance data to physicians and other health care providers *All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy Compensation for this specialty generally ranges from $238,000 to $357,500. Total cash compensation includes base pay and bonus and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants. At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission. UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Keywords: Optum, Surprise , Medical Director - Pain Management Specialist - Remote, Healthcare , Glendale, Arizona