General Summary

Provides administration in the area of benefit plans, eligibility, processing, problem resolution and follow up. Receives, calculates, and processes numerous benefit-related forms. Oversees enrollment outsourced to vendors. Assists with compilation of benefits data used for 3rd party payments, provider reporting, management reporting, audits, and forecasting.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. These are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Administers benefit programs in accordance with plan documents and UMMS benefit policies and procedures. Applies benefits starts, stops, adjustments within Lawson
• Triages incoming HR Connections case management cases for the Department, assigning them out, as appropriate. Handles and responds to Level 2 escalated cases and closes loop with initiating customer.
• Counsels and assists employees with questions regarding benefits, claims and policy interpretation in accordance with departmental procedures; escalates complex benefits issues for resolution.
• Interfaces with benefits vendors and outsourcers regarding claims or service issues. Receives, validates, records, and processes for payment all vendor fee invoices.
• Maintains benefits records and documents necessary for proper benefits administration.
• Collects and reviews for accuracy and completeness the data needed for processing new benefits enrollments, requests for changes, and requests for pension benefit estimates & commencements
• Monitors self-service functions and collaborates with vendors for processing of the following tasks whether related to Health and Welfare or Retirement programs: Benefits enrollment/entry, Benefits election changes, Retroactive benefits adjustments, Eligibility changes, Confirmation of elections.
• Runs and reviews audit reports to ensure appropriate payroll deductions for benefits plans. Assists with ensuring missed premiums or retirement contributions are captured.
• Researches and responds to Auditors inquiries. Provides general support to annual / ongoing benefit plan auditing processes. Tracks and executes self-audits from pre-defined list at pre-defined intervals.
• Puts together materials for training presentations related to benefit administration.
• Provides support to projects (plan start-ups / shut-downs / migrations, pension cashout projects) by helping gather and organize data for analysis and perform calculations.
• Collaborates with HRIS and other functional areas to provide input on changes to be made to systems, reports, and data. Assists in testing HRIS Benefits upgrades and new functionality.
• Retrieves necessary data from systems, forwards to teammates and vendors. Coordinates funding wires between UMMS Finance & Vendor. Tracks and records activity such as expenses, contributions and posting and timing thereof, Forfeitures, Revenue Sharing, Pension Funding activity monthly and annually. Uploads pertinent data files into UMMS internal HRIS and, on occasion, if/as needed, manually inputs directly into vendor systems. Monitors & Validates data / integrity on both inbound & outbound files to / from vendors to ensure accuracy of employee indicative data, plan enrollments, and changes. Performs and then validates success & accuracy of data uploads.
• Captures procedural steps, and stores in commonly-accessible location, in such great detail that any layman could follow that process documentation and achieve the desired results. Suggests methods to update, simplify, and enhance processes, procedures, and technologies.
• Health and Welfare Only: Provides assistance to employees to manage Life Event changes. Collects and submits death claims, as well as answers questions about Supplemental Life Insurance. Provides support for employee leaves of absence, return to work, and work accommodations. 
• Retirement Only: Administers UMMS Defined Contribution Pension Plan; review pension valuation report and employee eligibility. Provides pension benefits calculations. May serve as a coordinator for Maryland State Retirement system by counseling employees on retirement benefits; process retirement forms.

Renowned as the academic flagship of the University of Maryland Medical System, our Magnet®-designated facility is a nationally recognized, academic medical center with opportunities across the continuum of care. Come join UMMC and discover the atmosphere where talents and ideas come together to enhance patient care and advance the science of nursing. Located in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards, you won’t find a more vibrant place to work! 

Education and Experience

• AA degree in HR, Finance/Accounting, Business or related field. Two years of related experience in one of these fields (in addition to that required in the next bullet) may be substituted in lieu of a degree*.
• Two (2) years of human resource experience to include an understanding of the administration requirements for all applicable health & welfare, retirement, and leave benefits plans (e.g., life, medical, dental, prescription drug, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefit offerings, short- and long-term disability plans, 403B, and pension) required.
• One (1) year of experience working with Health Care Information Systems preferred
• Coursework/seminar attendance in the benefits areas (e.g. Certified Employee Benefit Specialist or related course work) preferred.
• Experience working in a call center or shared services environment preferred.

*Experience counted toward education may not also be counted as work experience (i.e. experience cannot be double counted.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of plan designs, third party record keeping/administration, applicable Health System policies, rules, regulations, eligibility provisions and enrollment procedures, beneficiary designations and special settlements.
• Must be able to operate a PC and work in Health Care Information Systems. Must have higher level Excel acumen (e.g. VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Colum compare, etc.)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Customer service focus and strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal/written skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Family and Medical Leave Act, Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Maryland Family and Medical Leave Act (MFMLA), and related state and federal regulations preferred.
• Familiarity with defined contribution and pension plans, The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), plan fiduciary responsibilities, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements, Maryland State Pension, and related state and federal regulations preferred.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.