University of California Santa Cruz

Insurance Advocate Location: Job ID: 83102 JOB POSTING UC Santa Cruz Student Health Services is excited to announce a new opportunity for an Insurance Advocate. We're looking for a detail oriented, student focused professional to support insurance navigation at the UCSC Student Health Center. In this role, you will assist students with insurance questions, verify eligibility and coverage, coordinate referrals and authorizations, manage data across multiple systems, and partner with internal departments and external providers to ensure timely, accurate support. UC Santa Cruz UCSC) is the county's largest employer and one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Perched on the coast overlooking Monterey Bay, our main campus offers a stunning setting and a vibrant community where over 3,100 staff members build meaningful careers, enjoy comprehensive benefits, and contribute to a mission that makes a difference. UCSC offers staff a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health and well-being. Here is a sample of benefit options: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans UC Retirement Pension Plan Optional life, legal, and pet insurance Paid holidays, plus accrued vacation and sick leave Discounts at UCSC recreation facilities For details, please visit: UCnet-Benefits Thank you for your interest in joining the UC Santa Cruz community. HOW TO APPLY For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website. How to Apply Troubleshooting Tips for Applicants FAQ's INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD) UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link. The IRD for this job is: 01/21/2026 ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world. DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) Student Health Services (SHS) is a full-service medical facility offering clinical, educational, and psychological support to UCSC students. SHS is deeply committed to ensuring affordable, well-integrated, multidisciplinary healthcare that effectively supports the university's diverse campus communities through equitable access and culturally competent, high-quality programs and services. The Primary Care Program offers primary care and same-day care services, supported by on-site radiology, a COLA-accredited clinical laboratory, and the campus pharmacy offering prescription and over-the-counter products. Counseling and Psychological Services, Case Management and Psychiatry services are available for crisis intervention, mental health support, and outreach services. Additional departments include Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP), home of the Condom Co-op, the Cove Collegiate Recovery Program (CCRP), where students receive harm-reduction and recovery services; CARE (Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment) the advocacy and prevention education office that supports those who have experienced sexual assault, stalking, and dating/domestic violence; Optometry, and Student Insurance and Referral Programs. Student Health Services employs approximately 150 staff and welcomes staff with an interest and experience working with college students with a wide range of ethnic, cultural, and gender identities. More information can be found at healthcenter.ucsc.edu JOB SUMMARY Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director of Clinic Support, Billing, & Insurance performs a wide variety of tasks in the following areas: insurance claims, insurance authorizations, data entry, front desk, and administrative support. APPOINTMENT INFORMATION Budgeted Salary:$29.38/hourly Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount. Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits Schedule Information: Full-time, Fixed Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week Days of the Week: Mon-Fri Shift Includes: Day Employee Classification: Career appointment Job End Date: None Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus Union Representation: Clerical Employees (CX) Job Code Classification: BLANK AST 3 (004722) Travel: Never or Rarely JOB DUTIES 40% - Insurance Navigation and Student Support Assists students and staff with UC SHIP, CruzCare, and private insurance inquiries. Provides guidance on insurance policies, billing procedures, and benefit navigation. Educates students on referral processes and supports navigation of complex insurance requirements. Provides follow-up with students via email and secure messaging via EMR. Documents patient encounters and related communications. Provides vision benefit information and schedules Optometry appointments. 25% - Eligibility, Coverage Verification and Referrals Verifies eligibility and confirms insurance coverage. Tracks referrals and retro-referrals to support timely follow-up and quality monitoring. Obtains prior authorizations for advanced imaging by reviewing chart notes and submitting required clinical information. Communicates with UC SHIP and carrier representatives regarding coverage, benefits, and services. 20% - Administrative Duties and Data Management Processes quarterly UC SHIP waiver requests. Maintains insurance data in FileMaker and updates student account information in AIS. Processes Health Fund financial support applications. Coordinates and authorizes approved Uber Health ride requests. 15% - Interdepartmental & External Coordination Coordinates with internal UCSC units (Registrar, SBS, Cashiers, Graduate Division, Financial Aid) and external providers, facilities, and claims processors. Participates in annual plan review and process improvement efforts by contributing feedback on plan performance. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS High school diploma or equivalent experience One year experience in a medical office or healthcare administrative setting Knowledge of medical office procedures and medical records workflows Experience using medical terminology and strong understanding of healthcare delivery Experience with electronic medical records, scheduling, and data entry Experience working across multiple information systems and validating data accuracy Ability to explain complex information clearly in writing and verbally to diverse populations Ability to research and resolve complex administrative problems Strong organization and attention to detail; able to proofread for accuracy Ability to prioritize multiple tasks with frequent interruptions Demonstrated customer service and active listening skills Ability to handle confidential and sensitive situations with tact and professionalism Ability to work effectively with clinical staff, supervisors, external providers, patients, and families Awareness and respect for cultural and lifestyle diversity PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS One year of clerical experience in a medical healthcare environment with demonstrated proficiency in navigating electronic medical record platforms, coordinating and resolving insurance claim issues, obtaining clinical service authorizations, and managing high-volume, multi-line phone systems SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check. Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process. The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site. Selected candidate will be required to take a TB test within 60 days of hire. Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training. Complete Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility (HIPAA) training within 30 days of hire. Will be required to comply with current Student Health Center employee health safety requirements for health care workers as defined by state and federal regulatory agencies. Current health safety requirements are discussed during interview. Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting. Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training. The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program. Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtainedhere . click apply for full job details