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Excellusbcbs
New York · Remote OK

Medical Director, Children's Behavioral Health

Psychiatry 8.5 Work-LifeFull-Time

Listed compensation

$202K - $303K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 6mo ago

Job Description

This position assists the Chief Medical Director to direct and coordinate the medical management, quality improvement and credentialing functions for the business unit. This role supports the HARP line of business.

Essential Accountabilities

Level I

Provides medical leadership of all for utilization management, cost containment, and medical quality improvement activities. Performs medical review activities pertaining to utilization review, quality assurance, and medical review of complex, controversial, or experimental medical services. Supports effective implementation of performance improvement initiatives for capitated providers.

Assists Chief Medical Director in planning and establishing goals and policies to improve quality and cost-effectiveness of care and service for members. Provides medical expertise in the operation of approved quality improvement and utilization management programs in accordance with regulatory, state, corporate, and accreditation requirements.

Assists the Chief Medical Director in the functioning of the physician committees including committee structure, processes, and membership. Oversees the activities of physician advisors. Utilizes the services of medical and pharmacy consultants for reviewing complex cases and medical necessity appeals.

Participates in provider network development and new market expansion as appropriate. Assists in the development and implementation of physician education with respect to clinical issues and policies.

Identifies utilization review studies and evaluates adverse trends in utilization of medical services, unusual provider practice patterns, and adequacy of benefit/payment components.

Identifies clinical quality improvement studies to assist in reducing unwarranted variation in clinical practice in order to improve the quality and cost of care.

Interfaces with physicians and other providers in order to facilitate implementation of recommendations to providers that would improve utilization and health care quality. Reviews claims involving complex, controversial, or unusual or new services in order to determine medical necessity and appropriate payment.

Develops alliances with the provider community through the development and implementation of the medical management programs. May represent the business unit before various publics both locally and nationally on medical philosophy, policies, and related issues, as needed. Represents the business unit at appropriate state committees and other ad hoc committees

Consistently demonstrates high standards of integrity by supporting the Lifetime Healthcare Companies’ mission and values and adhering to the Corporate Code of Conduct.

  • Maintains high regard for member privacy in accordance with the corporate privacy policies and procedures.
  • Conducts periodic staff meetings to include timely distribution and education related to departmental and Ethics/Compliance information.
  • Regular and reliable attendance is expected and required.
  • Performs other functions as assigned by management.
  • Level II (in addition to Level I Accountabilities)
  • Reviews medical literature and applies evidence-based principles using high proficiency skills for a broad range of clinical services.
  • Reviews internal trend reports to assess present and future needs and opportunities.
  • Interacts with regulatory and accreditation agencies as assigned.
  • Provides clinical support to the Sales and Marketing divisions
  • Provides clinical leadership for the implementation of new utilization/case/quality management initiatives

Minimum Qualifications

  • Level I
  • Current New York State licensed physician.

Minimum 5 years of experience in a BH managed care settings or BH clinical setting (at least 2 of which are in a clinical setting).

Board certification in general psychiatry or certification in addiction medicine or certification in the subspecialty of addiction psychiatry.

  • Appropriate training and expertise in general psychiatry and/or addiction disorders.
  • Ability to identify, analyze and resolve complex medical issues.
  • Skills in evidence-based medicine.
  • Strong interpersonal skills essential for communication to staff at all levels of the organization.,
  • Basic skill sets in electronic communication systems such as e-mail and Word.
  • Level II (in addition to Level I Minimum Qualifications)

Superior Evidence-based Medicine Skill Set

  • Strong interpersonal skills essential for communication to physicians in the community.
  • Strong verbal presentation skills to lead internal and external discussions at board levels
  • Advanced skill sets in electronic communication systems such as e-mail, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Physical Requirements

Works from a desk most of the time.

In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this job description lists only those responsibilities and qualifications deemed essential to the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Compensation Range(s)

$202,000.00 - $303,000.00

The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position.

Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s minimum qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package.

Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Please note: There may be opportunity for remote work within all jobs posted by the Excellus Talent Acquisition team. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Key Responsibilities

This role provides medical leadership for utilization management, quality improvement, and cost containment activities within the behavioral health business unit. The director assists in establishing clinical policies, overseeing physician advisors, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

Requirements

Candidates must be a New York State licensed physician with board certification in general psychiatry, addiction medicine, or addiction psychiatry. A minimum of 5 years of experience in a behavioral health managed care or clinical setting is required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical reviewRegulatory complianceData analysisInterpersonal communication

Psychiatry — Physician Career Context

Of the 50 active Psychiatry listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 76% have no call, 84% require no weekends — this position is remote.

Psychiatry pay on WeekdayDoc is up 8.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Nationally, Psychiatry professionals earn a median annual salary of approximately $300k, with the typical range spanning $230k to $400k depending on experience, location, and practice setting.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Medical Director, Children's Behavioral Health at Excellusbcbs a 8.5 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as excellent. This places the position in the top 25% in Psychiatry — ranked against 1,864 active Psychiatry listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include remote work flexibility.

Top Psychiatrist Jobs

36 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution36 jobs · 12 employers

8
<$350k
2
$350k-400k
14
$400k-450k
8
$450k-500k
4
$500k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks35 jobs · 12 employers

401k / retirement match
97% this job
Sign-on bonus
77%
CME allowance
37%
Loan repayment
9%
Visa sponsorship
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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LifeStance Health · Des Moines, Iowa

$320k-$500k
#2

Clinical Psychiatrist - Child/Adolescent

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$320k-$500k
#3

Interventional Psychiatrist

From $500k
#4

Clinical Psychiatrist

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+ 34 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.4this job 8.5
Better work-life than 90% of Psychiatry listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,864 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Remote
Excellusbcbs logo

About Excellusbcbs

Human Resources Services
Oldham

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, vision insurance
Retirement plan
Wellness program
Paid time away
Paid holidays
Potential for remote work