Top cities
View all citiesBrowse
Free Resume Checker
Build your resume in your free account, then run the resume checker for an instant score plus healthcare-specific findings on licensure and clinical experience.
Build your resumeFree tools for healthcare professionals
Cobalt Benefits Group LLC·Houston, Texas
Utilization Review Nurse · $82,000 - $95,000/yr
Computed from live listings
Shaded band: the middle 50% of 7,555 posted administration roles salarys. This role sits in the 66th percentile.
The Utilization Review Nurse evaluates clinical information to determine the medical necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of healthcare services. They collaborate with care teams to facilitate timely authorizations and ensure compliance with organizational policies and payer guidelines.
Description Join our team at Cobalt Benefits Group and start an exciting new career in employee benefits solutions. As a Utilization Review Nurse (UR Nurse), you’ll play an important role in helping us offer customized, self-funded insurance options to our clients and members.
The UR Nurse is responsible for reviewing clinical information to determine the medical necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of healthcare services, procedures, and levels of care in accordance with established criteria, payer guidelines, and organizational policies. This role involves evaluating healthcare services and facilities under the provisions of applicable health benefit plans to ensure quality and cost-effective patient care.
The UR Nurse collaborates closely with intake staff, physicians, specialists, case managers, and other members of the care team to facilitate timely and effective care authorizations, transitions, and utilization determinations. Strong communication, clinical judgment, and attention to detail are essential to ensure services meet both clinical standards and benefit requirements.
Perform utilization and concurrent reviews of inpatient cases using Milliman, Aetna, and BCBS criteria. Conduct medical necessity reviews for services requiring prior authorization, applying utilization-specific criteria. Request and evaluate clinical information needed to review requested services. Discuss cases and determinations with healthcare professionals and physician reviewers. Identify cases requiring intervention and collaborate with Case Managers as needed. Maintain appropriate and accurate documentation, ensuring compliance with audit standards. Participate in team meetings, educational sessions, and related activities. Review medical claims and pre-determinations for medical necessity and appropriateness. Identify opportunities for process improvement and enhance communication among departments. Consult with Physician Reviewers for complex or challenging cases.
Current, unrestricted RN license (State license required). Minimum 3 years of clinical nursing experience. Minimum 1 year of Utilization Management (UM) or Utilization Review (UR) experience. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and familiarity with utilization management systems. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders. Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities independently.
Experience with Milliman or Aetna criteria. Background in healthcare administration, medical necessity determination, or benefits management. Experience in data interpretation and medical trend analysis.
Work Environment & Physical Demands Prolonged periods of sitting may be required. Regular use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse is necessary; reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. Employees should ensure an ergonomically appropriate desk and chair setup. Comfort with being on camera for virtual meetings (e.g., Microsoft Teams)
As a trusted third-party administrator (TPA) specializing in self-funded benefit plans, Cobalt Benefits Group (CBG) is committed to helping employers find high-quality coverage at a cost they can afford.
We administer self-funded insurance benefits through our four lines of business: EBPA, Blue Benefit Administrators of Massachusetts, CBA Blue,and Great Bay Administrators.
With over 30 years of experience and a dedicated team of more than 300 employees, we work collaboratively to build customized self-funded health plans, manage claim payments and disputes, and administer other specialized programs such as FSAs, HSAs, COBRA, and retiree billing.
Join us as we match employers across our region with the right solutions for their employee benefit needs.
To learn more about working at CBG, visit https://www.cobaltbenefitsgroup.com/careers/.
Cobalt Benefits Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Cobalt Benefits Group participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.
Market context
Administrative roles in Texas often draw steady demand in schools and healthcare settings because they support daily operations, compliance, and communication. These positions can be competitive when employers want candidates with a bachelor’s degree, directly related experience, and preferred credentials such as ACRP or SOCRA certification and Spanish bilingual skills. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then tailor your application to show relevant administrative experience and language or certification strengths.