Utilization Review Nurse Jobs for OPT Students
Utilization Review Nurse jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with a nursing degree and clinical background. These roles typically require an active RN license, which can complicate OPT timelines. Most positions are full-time and STEM OPT extension is not available for this role.
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Workforce Classification:
Telecommuter
Join Our Team: Do Meaningful Work and Improve People’s Lives
Our purpose, to improve customers’ lives by making healthcare work better, is far from ordinary. And so are our employees. Working at Premera means you have the opportunity to drive real change by transforming healthcare. Premera is committed to being a workplace where people feel empowered to grow, innovate, and lead with purpose. By investing in our employees and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous development, we’re able to better serve our customers. It’s this commitment that has earned us recognition as one of the best companies to work for. Learn more about our recent awards and recognitions as a greatest workplace. Learn how Premera supports our members, customers and the communities that we serve through our Healthsource blog: https://healthsource.premera.com/.
We have an opening for a Utilization Review Nurse! The Utilization Review Nurse performs prospective review (benefit advisory/ prior authorization) admission, concurrent, and retrospective reviews according to established criteria and protocols to determine the medical appropriateness of the clinical requests from providers. The incumbent partners with Medical Directors and other Premera Departments such as FEP, National Account Liaisons, Health Care Services, and Claims to ensure appropriate cost-effective care by applying their clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to assess the medical necessity of inpatient admissions, outpatient services and procedures, benefit application and provider out of network requests. This work is done for all lines of business and all geographic regions.
What you will do:
- Performs medical necessity review that includes inpatient review, concurrent review, benefits advisory/prior authorization, retrospective, out of network, and appropriateness of treatment setting reviews to ensure compliance with applicable criteria, medical policy, member eligibility, benefits, and contracts
- Consults with Medical Directors when care does not meet applicable criteria or medical policies
- Documents clinical information completely, accurately, and in a timely manner
- Meets or exceeds production and quality metrics
- Maintains a thorough understanding of the Plan's provider contracts, member contracts, authorization requirements and clinical criteria including Milliman care guidelines and medical policy
- Identifies Clinical Program opportunities and refers members to the appropriate healthcare program (e.g. case management, engagement team, and disease management)
- Collaborates, educates and consults with Customer Service/Claims Operations, Sales and Marketing and Health Care Services to ensure consistent work processes and procedural application of clinical criteria
- Maintains a thorough understanding of accreditation and regulatory requirements, and ensures these requirements are accurately followed and Utilization Management (UM) decision determinations and timeliness standards are within compliance
- Supports the Plan's Quality Program: Identifies and participates in quality improvement activities as it relates to internal programs, processes studies, and projects
- Performs other duties as assigned.
What you will bring:
- Bachelor's degree or 4 years’ work experience
- Current State licensure as a registered nurse or behavioral health clinician where licensing is required by State law
- 3 years of clinical experience.
- CPHM (Certified Professional Health Management) certification, or obtain certification within 36 months of the date of hire
- Utilization Management experience (Preferred)
- Experience working in the health plan industry.
What you will gain:
- Deeper expertise in utilization management (prospective, concurrent, and retrospective review) using evidence-based criteria and medical policy
- Stronger cross-functional collaboration and clinical influence through partnership with Medical Directors and internal teams to drive appropriate care decisions
- Growth in regulatory/accreditation and quality improvement proficiency by applying UM standards, documenting determinations, and supporting process/quality initiatives
Premera total rewards
Our comprehensive total rewards package provides support, resources, and opportunities to help employees thrive and grow. Our total rewards are more than a collection of perks, they're a reflection of our commitment to your health and well-being. We offer a broad array of rewards including:
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage with low employee premiums.
- Voluntary benefit offerings, including pet insurance for paw parents.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Retirement programs, including a 401K employer match and, believe it or not, a pension plan that is vested after 3 years of service.
- Wellness incentives with a wide range of mental well-being resources for you and your dependents, including counseling services, stress management programs, and mindfulness programs, just to name a few.
- Generous paid time off to reenergize.
- Looking for continuing education? We have tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Employee recognition program to celebrate anniversaries, team accomplishments, and more.
For our hybrid employees, our on-campus model provides flexibility to create your own routine with access to on-site resources, networking opportunities, and team engagement.
- Commuter perks make your trip to work less impactful on the environment and your wallet.
- Free convenient on-site parking.
- Subsidized on-campus cafes make lunchtime connections with colleagues fun and affordable.
- Participate in engaging on-site activities such as health and wellness events, coffee connects, disaster preparedness fairs and more.
- Our complementary fitness & well-being center offers both in-person and virtual workouts and nutritional counseling.
- Need a brain break? Challenge someone to a game of shuffleboard or ping pong while on campus.
Equal employment opportunity/affirmative action:
Premera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Premera seeks to attract and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. If you need an accommodation to apply online for positions at Premera, please contact Premera Human Resources via email at careers@premera.com or via phone at 425-918-4785.
Premera is hiring in the following states, with some limitations based on role or city:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.
The pay for this role will vary based on a range of factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s geographic location, market conditions, and specific skills and experience.
National Salary Range:
$80,200.00 - $125,600.00
National Plus Salary Range:
$84,200.00 - $143,100.00
National Plus salary range is used in higher cost of labor markets including Western Washington and Alaska.
We’re happy to discuss compensation further during the interview because we believe that open communication leads to better outcomes for all. We’re committed to creating an environment where all employees are celebrated for their unique skills and contributions.

Workforce Classification:
Telecommuter
Join Our Team: Do Meaningful Work and Improve People’s Lives
Our purpose, to improve customers’ lives by making healthcare work better, is far from ordinary. And so are our employees. Working at Premera means you have the opportunity to drive real change by transforming healthcare. Premera is committed to being a workplace where people feel empowered to grow, innovate, and lead with purpose. By investing in our employees and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous development, we’re able to better serve our customers. It’s this commitment that has earned us recognition as one of the best companies to work for. Learn more about our recent awards and recognitions as a greatest workplace. Learn how Premera supports our members, customers and the communities that we serve through our Healthsource blog: https://healthsource.premera.com/.
We have an opening for a Utilization Review Nurse! The Utilization Review Nurse performs prospective review (benefit advisory/ prior authorization) admission, concurrent, and retrospective reviews according to established criteria and protocols to determine the medical appropriateness of the clinical requests from providers. The incumbent partners with Medical Directors and other Premera Departments such as FEP, National Account Liaisons, Health Care Services, and Claims to ensure appropriate cost-effective care by applying their clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to assess the medical necessity of inpatient admissions, outpatient services and procedures, benefit application and provider out of network requests. This work is done for all lines of business and all geographic regions.
What you will do:
- Performs medical necessity review that includes inpatient review, concurrent review, benefits advisory/prior authorization, retrospective, out of network, and appropriateness of treatment setting reviews to ensure compliance with applicable criteria, medical policy, member eligibility, benefits, and contracts
- Consults with Medical Directors when care does not meet applicable criteria or medical policies
- Documents clinical information completely, accurately, and in a timely manner
- Meets or exceeds production and quality metrics
- Maintains a thorough understanding of the Plan's provider contracts, member contracts, authorization requirements and clinical criteria including Milliman care guidelines and medical policy
- Identifies Clinical Program opportunities and refers members to the appropriate healthcare program (e.g. case management, engagement team, and disease management)
- Collaborates, educates and consults with Customer Service/Claims Operations, Sales and Marketing and Health Care Services to ensure consistent work processes and procedural application of clinical criteria
- Maintains a thorough understanding of accreditation and regulatory requirements, and ensures these requirements are accurately followed and Utilization Management (UM) decision determinations and timeliness standards are within compliance
- Supports the Plan's Quality Program: Identifies and participates in quality improvement activities as it relates to internal programs, processes studies, and projects
- Performs other duties as assigned.
What you will bring:
- Bachelor's degree or 4 years’ work experience
- Current State licensure as a registered nurse or behavioral health clinician where licensing is required by State law
- 3 years of clinical experience.
- CPHM (Certified Professional Health Management) certification, or obtain certification within 36 months of the date of hire
- Utilization Management experience (Preferred)
- Experience working in the health plan industry.
What you will gain:
- Deeper expertise in utilization management (prospective, concurrent, and retrospective review) using evidence-based criteria and medical policy
- Stronger cross-functional collaboration and clinical influence through partnership with Medical Directors and internal teams to drive appropriate care decisions
- Growth in regulatory/accreditation and quality improvement proficiency by applying UM standards, documenting determinations, and supporting process/quality initiatives
Premera total rewards
Our comprehensive total rewards package provides support, resources, and opportunities to help employees thrive and grow. Our total rewards are more than a collection of perks, they're a reflection of our commitment to your health and well-being. We offer a broad array of rewards including:
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage with low employee premiums.
- Voluntary benefit offerings, including pet insurance for paw parents.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Retirement programs, including a 401K employer match and, believe it or not, a pension plan that is vested after 3 years of service.
- Wellness incentives with a wide range of mental well-being resources for you and your dependents, including counseling services, stress management programs, and mindfulness programs, just to name a few.
- Generous paid time off to reenergize.
- Looking for continuing education? We have tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Employee recognition program to celebrate anniversaries, team accomplishments, and more.
For our hybrid employees, our on-campus model provides flexibility to create your own routine with access to on-site resources, networking opportunities, and team engagement.
- Commuter perks make your trip to work less impactful on the environment and your wallet.
- Free convenient on-site parking.
- Subsidized on-campus cafes make lunchtime connections with colleagues fun and affordable.
- Participate in engaging on-site activities such as health and wellness events, coffee connects, disaster preparedness fairs and more.
- Our complementary fitness & well-being center offers both in-person and virtual workouts and nutritional counseling.
- Need a brain break? Challenge someone to a game of shuffleboard or ping pong while on campus.
Equal employment opportunity/affirmative action:
Premera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Premera seeks to attract and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. If you need an accommodation to apply online for positions at Premera, please contact Premera Human Resources via email at careers@premera.com or via phone at 425-918-4785.
Premera is hiring in the following states, with some limitations based on role or city:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.
The pay for this role will vary based on a range of factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s geographic location, market conditions, and specific skills and experience.
National Salary Range:
$80,200.00 - $125,600.00
National Plus Salary Range:
$84,200.00 - $143,100.00
National Plus salary range is used in higher cost of labor markets including Western Washington and Alaska.
We’re happy to discuss compensation further during the interview because we believe that open communication leads to better outcomes for all. We’re committed to creating an environment where all employees are celebrated for their unique skills and contributions.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Utilization Review Nurse
Confirm your RN license is active before applying
Utilization review roles require an active, unrestricted RN license in the state where you'll work. Verify your license is in good standing before submitting applications. Licensing delays can directly impact your OPT start date and employment authorization.
Target employers with existing OPT hiring experience
Large hospital systems, national insurers, and managed care organizations are more likely to have hired OPT workers before. Smaller clinics may not understand work authorization requirements, which slows hiring significantly and puts your OPT timeline at risk.
Apply early and account for onboarding lead time
Utilization review hiring often involves credentialing checks and compliance reviews before your start date. Start applying at least 60 to 90 days before your OPT begins to leave enough time for background checks and employer paperwork.
Be explicit about OPT authorization in your cover letter
Clearly state that you're authorized to work on OPT and specify your authorization end date. Confusion about work authorization is one of the most common reasons OPT candidates get screened out before a hiring manager even reviews the application.
Highlight clinical decision-making experience in your resume
Utilization review employers look for nurses with strong clinical judgment, not just bedside experience. Emphasize any prior authorization, case management, or discharge planning work. These experiences map directly to the core responsibilities of the role.
Utilization Review Nurse jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Utilization Review Nurses?
Yes, F-1 OPT students can work as Utilization Review Nurses as long as the role is directly related to their nursing degree. You'll need an active RN license in the state where you work. OPT authorization covers full-time employment, and the role must align with your field of study as listed on your EAD.
Is the Utilization Review Nurse role eligible for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Nursing falls under CIP code 51.38, which is not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. That means you're limited to 12 months of post-completion OPT without an extension. If you want to continue working in the U.S. after OPT ends, your employer will need to sponsor an H-1B or other work visa.
How do I find employers willing to hire OPT nurses for utilization review roles?
Browse Migrate Mate to find Utilization Review Nurse roles posted by employers with a track record of hiring OPT and visa-sponsored candidates. Large managed care organizations, national health insurers, and hospital-owned utilization management departments tend to be the most OPT-friendly employers in this specialty.
Does an active RN license affect my ability to start work on OPT?
Yes, and it's one of the most common delays OPT nurses face. Your employment must begin on or after your OPT start date and requires both an active EAD and a valid RN license. If your license is pending or under review, you cannot legally begin work, even if your EAD has already been issued.
Can I work remotely as a Utilization Review Nurse on OPT?
Yes, many utilization review roles are fully remote or hybrid, which is an advantage for OPT workers. However, most states require your RN license to be active in the state where your employer is headquartered or where the patients you review are located. Confirm licensure requirements with your employer before accepting a remote offer.
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