Specialist - Benefits

Shelby County Schools•Memphis, TN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for processing and providing guidance on a wide variety of insurance related issues including health, dental, vision, prescription drug, life, disability, leave of absence and COBRA. Reviews and makes recommendations for HRIS, payroll and vendor databases to ensure accurate insurance option elections, payroll deductions and vendor payments. Works with active employees, retirees, spouses, dependents, and beneficiaries on all Memphis-Shelby County School (MSCS) insurance plans and various kinds of leave. Explains eligibility requirements, enrollment, deadlines, application process, and various plan options. Evaluates and determines the eligibility of employees, retires, spouses, domestic partners, dependents and beneficiaries for insurance elections, deductions or payouts in compliance with multiple insurance summary plan description document rules and insurance vendor enrollment policies and procedures as well as open enrollment and special enrollment period regulations. Tracks, processes and provides guidance on all insurance related topics such as health, dental, vision, prescription drug and COBRA, basic and supplemental life and voluntary long term disability plans to identify the employee’s options for concerns and/or issues. Tracks, processes, and provides guidance on all insurance payments related options such as Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care reimbursements, Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA), premium assistance programs and options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Tracks, processes and provides detailed information to staff and retirees on all the different insurance plan estimates for medical payments to identify the employee’s options for concerns and/or issues. Works with spouses, domestic partners, dependents, and beneficiaries to file the appropriate forms for a death claim with the life insurance vendors. Processes all insurance related Court Order requirements such as Qualified Medical Child Support Orders (QMCSO). Prepares, reviews and revises insurance option elections, premium deductions and insurance payouts in HRIS and payroll and verifies the information is correct in the vendor databases for timeliness, accuracy and vendor payments. Informs payroll of insurance related issues such as new enrollments, election changes, Qualifying Life Events (QLE) adjustments, terminations, COBRA and Court Order requirements affecting insurance. Prepares and maintains standard reports, records, correspondence, and files related to assigned employee population for insurance. Maintains confidentiality up to HIPPA standards. Process Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System refunds, 403(b) Annuity and Empower requests as well as process any required adjustments, payments, refunds needed through the payroll system. Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a closely related field.
Minimum of one (1) year of insurance experience (medical, dental, vision, life, or COBRA).
Total of five (5) years of experience in insurance or human resources, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Proof of education, training, and/or experience is required.
HIPAA training must be completed within the initial six (6) months of employment.
Employees who violate HIPAA Privacy Rule requirements are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Nice To Haves

Experience with HRIS and payroll systems.
Experience with vendor databases.
Knowledge of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA), and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Familiarity with Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, 403(b) Annuity, and Empower.

Responsibilities

Processing and providing guidance on insurance related issues (health, dental, vision, prescription drug, life, disability, leave of absence, COBRA).
Reviewing and making recommendations for HRIS, payroll, and vendor databases for accurate insurance elections, deductions, and payments.
Assisting active employees, retirees, spouses, dependents, and beneficiaries with MSCS insurance plans and leave.
Explaining eligibility, enrollment, deadlines, application processes, and plan options.
Evaluating and determining eligibility for insurance elections, deductions, or payouts.
Tracking, processing, and guiding on insurance topics including health, dental, vision, prescription drug, COBRA, life, and long-term disability plans.
Tracking, processing, and guiding on insurance payment options like FSA, HRA, premium assistance, and ACA options.
Providing detailed information on insurance plan estimates for medical payments.
Assisting with filing death claims with life insurance vendors.
Processing insurance-related Court Order requirements (e.g., QMCSO).
Preparing, reviewing, and revising insurance option elections, premium deductions, and payouts in HRIS and payroll.
Verifying insurance information in vendor databases for accuracy and timeliness.
Informing payroll of insurance-related issues (enrollments, changes, QLEs, terminations, COBRA, Court Orders).
Preparing and maintaining standard reports, records, correspondence, and files.
Maintaining confidentiality to HIPAA standards.
Processing Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System refunds, 403(b) Annuity and Empower requests.
Processing required adjustments, payments, and refunds through the payroll system.
Performing other related duties as assigned.