Jefferson Health Plans·Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Facilitates safe and cost-effective patient transitions by coordinating post-acute services and scheduling follow-up appointments. Manages payer authorizations and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care from hospital to home.
Job Details The Discharge Planner facilitates safe, timely, and cost-effective transitions of care by coordinating all post-acute service and appointment needs for patients on the assigned unit.
The discharge planner assists the transfer center to ensure timely internal and external transfers.
Working collaboratively with providers, care managers, and interdisciplinary team members, the discharge planner ensures that follow-up physician, laboratory, procedural, and financial appointments are accurately scheduled and linked to appropriate orders and payor requirements.
This role communicates with third-party payers to secure authorization for inpatient and post-acute services.
The Discharge Planner also assesses psychosocial and environmental factors affecting recovery, provides education and referrals to community resources, and supports patients and families in coping with the transition from hospital to home or another level of care.
Summary The Discharge Planner facilitates safe, timely, and cost-effective transitions of care by coordinating all post-acute service and appointment needs for patients on the assigned unit.
The discharge planner assists the transfer center to ensure timely internal and external transfers.
Working collaboratively with providers, care managers, and interdisciplinary team members, the discharge planner ensures that follow-up physician, laboratory, procedural, and financial appointments are accurately scheduled and linked to appropriate orders and payor requirements.
This role communicates with third-party payers to secure authorization for inpatient and post-acute services.
The Discharge Planner also assesses psychosocial and environmental factors affecting recovery, provides education and referrals to community resources, and supports patients and families in coping with the transition from hospital to home or another level of care.
Job Duties Coordinates safe and timely discharge by arranging all necessary post-acute services including home health, DME, transportation, infusion services, and community-based resources in collaboration with the inpatient care manager RN, MSW, Social Services Coordinator, or Social worker BSW.
Obtains payer authorization for appropriate level of care, length of stay, and post-discharge services; ensures timely submission of clinical information and communicates payer determinations of denials to the care manager.
Documents all discharge planning activities including authorizations, communications, and service arrangements promptly and accurately in the medical record to ensure regulatory and organizational compliance.
Reviews and completes Medicare Notice of Hospital Discharge with inpatient and behavioral health hospital admissions for beneficiaries in hospital.
Schedules and confirms follow-up appointments (physician, laboratory, procedural, and financial) prior to discharge, linking all appointments accurately to physician orders and payers requirements.
Acts as a liaison between patients, families, healthcare providers, payers, and community agencies to support smooth transitions of care and ensure continuity post-discharge.
Monitors hospital transfers by collaborating with the care management colleagues to transfer medical stable patients to their hospital of origin.
Communicates, escalates, and prioritizes transportation needs between care management colleagues and the transfer center Interacts with co-workers, visitors, and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson
Bachelor’s Degree healthcare related field 2 years experience in healthcare related field and Less than 1 year as a new graduate Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner. Ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation. Computer and EHR literate. Knowledge of patient appointment and procedure scheduling rules, insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and medical terminology.
Bachelor’s Degree social work Knowledge of discharge planning regulations, patient choice, and insurance authorization as needed, Familiar with electronic health records and documentation. Familiar with medical terminology.
Physical Demands Lift and carry 40-50 lbs.
Push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient's weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking. Patient transporters can walk 8-10 miles per shift. *Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.
Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require. Work Shift Workday Day (United States of America) Worker Sub Type Regular Employee Entity Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc. Primary Location Address 111 S 11th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years. Jefferson is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status.
Jefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including medical (including prescription), supplemental insurance, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, tuition assistance, as well as voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts. Colleagues have access to tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service. All colleagues, including those who work less than part-time (including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance. For more benefits information, please click here
Requires a Bachelor's degree in a healthcare-related field and at least 2 years of experience in healthcare. Candidates must be proficient in EHR systems and possess knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and HIPAA regulations.
Market context
Physician openings in Pennsylvania are often driven by ongoing clinical coverage needs and specialty demand, so competition can be strongest for roles that require board eligibility, Pennsylvania licensure or IMLC eligibility, and preferred fellowship or EPIC experience. Benefits and requirements on this platform are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you review the key details faster. If you are considering applying, confirm your licensure path and highlight any EPIC or fellowship experience in your materials.