As Health Benefits Assistant for Health Administration Service at the New Mexico VAMC (NMVAMC), the incumbents provide a high level of administrative and data support to the HAS to include the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCS) as well as to the NMVAMC.
Duties include but are not limited to: Serve as advisors and experts to the HAS Section Chiefs and support the management information components of all health eligibility related programs. Entering data and information, when necessary, but also reviewing reports, records and statistical computations for accuracy and propriety. Review, verify, and analyze data submitted for consistency with financial and program objectives, and adherence to VA directives.
Assist the Public Affairs Office as well as other Services at Albuquerque VAMC with community activities such as Health Fairs, Homeless Veterans Stand Downs, Post Deployment Health Re-assessment (PDHRA) and Tribal Community Outreach programs. Interview patients applying for medical benefits.
Verify eligibility/entitlement for benefits of all applicants using various methods including income assessments, military discharge documents, Veterans Information Solution (VIS), Enrollment System Redesign (ESR) and other means such as communications with VA Regional Office, VA Records Processing Centers and HEC Health Eligibility Center. Review various financial documents to include tax forms, bank records, and SSI/SSDI forms.
Advise the veterans of their entitlement to various medical benefits and discusses co-payment requirements of veterans in discretionary categories. Extreme tact, diplomacy and privacy are required to explain complicated laws in this area. Extensive knowledge of the Medical Center and policies is required to respond to inquiries from veterans, Medical Center staff and other agencies regarding applying for care, eligibility, and Beneficiary Travel, etc.
Ensure proper identification is utilized when processing the Veterans card according to national guidance. Monitor enrolled patient data base information on a regular basis (at a minimum, annually) to perform updates to health insurance data, income assessments for the Means Test and Pharmacy Co-pay Exemption programs as mandated by law. Provide exceptional customer service by exceeding the customer's expectations.
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 08:00am- 4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Benefits Assistant/PD13111A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
sandra.placencia1@va.gov · (279) 209-6551
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $41178 – $53531/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-18.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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