Looking for a job

Heidi Strater

@heidistrater

Message

I improve behavioral health authorization, reimbursement, and compliance through utilization management leadership.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to leverage my utilization management, payer relations, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance experience to improve reimbursement, clinical workflows, and patient care.

I've led utilization management for multi-level behavioral health organizations at Supportive Healthcare, guiding authorization strategy, payer relations, and reimbursement optimization across 10 to 15 facilities.

As Director of Utilization Management, I supervised and coached 6–8 staff, raised authorization approval rates to 92%, and reduced denials by 18–24% through training and quality assurance processes.

At Integrity Billing, I developed utilization review processes that improved compliance and reduced review time while conducting concurrent, retrospective, and peer reviews. I review treatment plans for medical necessity and use utilization trends to identify improvement opportunities.

My background also includes behavioral health case management, medical social work, psychotherapy, staff training, and teaching social work students. I'm an LCSW and Qualified Supervisor focused on documentation integrity, regulatory compliance, and patient-centered care.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Utilization Management Clinician

Integrity Billing

Nov 2025 - Jun 2026 (7 months)

Developed utilization review processes that improved compliance and reduced review time. Reviewed and analyzed patient treatment plans to ensure medical necessity and optimize patient care.

Utilization Management Clinical Documentation Compliance Concurrent Review Medical Necessity Review

Director of Utilization Management

Supportive Healthcare

Jan 2016 - Dec 2024 (8 years 11 months)

Supported utilization management for multi-level behavioral health organizations, guiding authorization strategy, payer relations, and reimbursement optimization. Supervised a team of 6-8 staff, managed caseloads, and increased authorization approval rates to 92%.

Utilization Management Payer Relations Negotiation Behavioral Health Operations ASAM Criteria Clinical Documentation Improvement Regulatory Compliance Denial Prevention Concurrent Review Medical Necessity Review Quality Assurance Team Leadership Training Audit Process Improvement

Utilization Management Senior Specialist

Supportive Healthcare

Jun 2014 - Jan 2016 (1 year 7 months)

Conducted initial and concurrent reviews with insurance companies for substance abuse and mental health clients to determine medical necessity based on ASAM Criteria. Conducted peer reviews, negotiated single case agreements, and served as liaison between utilization review and clinical teams.

Utilization Management ASAM Criteria Concurrent Review Peer Review Negotiation Compliance Mentorship Training Documentation

Case Manager, Utilization Review Specialist and Medical Social Worker

Delray Medical Center/ Fair Oaks Pavilion

Nov 2004 - Jun 2014 (9 years 7 months)

Educated and upgraded the behavioral health case management team using INTERQUAL criteria to determine medical necessity for inpatient hospitalization. Conducted clinical reviews, wrote appeal letters, and provided discharge planning for patients with severe mental illness and substance abuse.

Utilization Review InterQual Medical Necessity Criteria Discharge Planning Training Mentorship Multidisciplinary Care Team Documentation

Program Therapist

Delray Medical Center/ Fair Oaks Pavilion

May 1995 - Nov 2004 (9 years 6 months)

Provided individual and group psychotherapy to adult and geriatric clients in an inpatient hospital setting. Utilized advanced theories and techniques for patients with severe mental illness, chemical dependency, and dual diagnoses.

Psychotherapy Group Therapy Mental Health Chemical Dependency Dual Diagnosis Training Mentorship

Adjunct Professor

Florida Atlantic University

Jan 2001 - Jan 2001 (0 months)

Taught human behavior and social development to bachelor's level students.

Teaching Human Behaviors Social Development

Adjunct Professor

Florida International University

Jan 2001 - Jan 2001 (0 months)

Taught advanced interventions for children and adolescents to master's level students.

Teaching Child Mental Health Interventions

Private Consultant

Avante Nursing Facility

Jan 2000 - May 2000 (4 months)

Conducted psycho-social patient assessments and chart reviews, created tailored treatment plans, and trained facility staff through educational in-services.

Psychosocial Assessment Treatment Planning Training Staff Education