Hospitalist Physician (Houston)

Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation's largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 137 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 157,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $4.2 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system.

This is a remote position and you must be licensed in the state of Texas.

As the Utilization Management Physician Advisor (PA), the PA conducts clinical case reviews referred by case management staff and/or other health care professionals to meet regulatory requirements and, in accordance with the hospital's objectives for providing quality patient care, to assure effective and efficient utilization of health care services. The PA communicates remotely with case and utilization management to discuss selected cases and make recommendations regarding level of care, as well as, communicates remotely with medical staff members and medical directors of third-party payers to discuss the needs of patients and options/alternatives for care. The PA acts as a consultant to, and resource for, attending physicians regarding their decisions relative to appropriateness of hospitalization, appropriate level of care for initial hospitalization and continued stay days, clinical documentation, and use of healthcare resources. The PA further acts as a resource for the medical staff regarding federal and state utilization and quality regulations. The PA must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills and must be clear, concise and consistent in the message to all constituents.

• Conducts medical record review in appropriate cases for medical necessity of hospital admission, continued hospital stays, adequacy of discharge planning and quality care management.
• Understand the intricacies of the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) to make medical determinations on severity of illness, acuity, risk of mortality, and communicate with treating physicians in cooperation with the utilization team and health information staff.
• Understand the intricacies of ICD-9-CM, ICD-10-CM/PCS, MS-DRG, and APR-DRG.
• Contacts Case and Utilization Management Teams: Makes telephonic/electronic contacts with case and utilization management to discuss clinical aspects of hospital encounters, as well as, medical necessity and appropriate levels of care.
• Contacts Attending Physicians: Makes telephonic/electronic contacts with Attending Physicians to discuss clinical aspects of hospital encounters, as well as, medical necessity and appropriate levels of care. Discussion may also include education for improved clinical documentation, in addition to, governmental and commercial guidelines for reimbursement.
• Conducts Peer to Peer discussions with payers as needed.

• MD or DO required
• Unrestricted license in field of practice in the state of Texas required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Physician Advisor preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical practice required.
• Experience performing Peer to Peer Reviews, preferred
• Broad-based knowledge regarding clinical practice.
• Broad knowledge base with trust and respect of medical staff physicians.
• In-depth knowledge of CMS regulations, including understanding of the 2-midnight rule.
• Utilization management experience.
• Education in quality and utilization management through continuing medical education programs and self-study.
• Knowledge of and practical use of good business English, spelling, arithmetic, practices and the ability to communicate effectively using written and verbal skills.