Benefits Coordinator I, Payroll – UT System Human Resources

The Benefits Administrative Coordinator I position exists to help administer benefit plans for the 14,000 benefit eligible employees of the University of Tennessee. Based upon extensive knowledge of the State of Tennessee insurance programs, this position introduces new employees to the group insurance plans through orientation sessions for groups of 10 to 50 employees and then further provides information to all employees by multiple communication methods throughout the year, especially during the annual enrollment period. This position also answers questions from benefits staff on other campuses. In addition to communicating with employees, the position is responsible for entering insurance coverage information in both the University's SAP system and the State's Edison system.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• The position provides information to university employees about the state benefit plans. This includes providing individual customer service to newly hired and current employees at the Knoxville, UWA, Ag, and Graduate School of Medicine campuses by means of speaking about insurance coverage at new hire orientation sessions, phone calls from employees, walk-in traffic, email communication, and written communication. This information includes insurance eligibility rules for employees and dependents, enrollment form completion, insurance coverage and cost questions, network coverage questions, and Affordable Care Act questions.
• This position audits insurance enrollment forms to be sure the forms meet university, state, and vendor requirements. After auditing, this position enters the employee enrollments into IRIS so correct insurance premiums can be deducted and also enters employee enrollments into the State’s Edison system so that employee coverages can be sent to the vendors and are documented in the insurance system of record.
• The position reconciles university insurance coverage data as recorded in IRIS with the State’s insurance coverage data as recorded in Edison to insure the correct coverage for University employees. This requires extensive knowledge of both the university’s and the state’s human resources systems. This confirms that the university payroll is correct and that the state will bill the university for the correct coverage amounts.
• The position resolves issues with the state of Tennessee Office of Benefits Administration. Many issues arise that require communication and interpretation of insurance rules with benefits Administration in Nashville. This position advocates for the university and its employees on a daily basis with the management staff in Nashville. This requires extensive knowledge of the insurance rules, good communication skills, and the development of a professional working relationship with the insurance staff in Nashville.
• The position maintains permanent records of all insurance enrollments for the University of Tennessee System. Depending on the type of enrollment, this includes scanning enrollment forms into the University's SAP system and into the State's Edison system.

The successful candidate will hold a high school diploma or GED and 5 years relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

The candidate will have:

• General knowledge of the health insurance industry
• General knowledge of the rules and regulations governing health insurance plans
• Ability to communicate effectively with individual employees, groups of employees, and other insurance staff through verbal, written, and electronic methods
• Knowledge of computer software packages, especially Microsoft Office products
• Ability to multi-task
• Good organizational and time management skills, including the ability to keep up with differing UT deadlines.

The preferred candidate will hold an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree with public speaking experience, including speaking in front of and answering questions from a large audience; and experience in communicating insurance plans, policies, and regulations to a diverse clientele.

The preferred candidate will have:

• Specific knowledge of University and State health insurance plans and policies
• Specific knowledge of Federal law governing employee provided insurance plans, including coverage rules and requirements under the Affordable Care Act
• Specific knowledge of university human resources and fiscal policies
• Knowledge and experience with employer human resources/payroll systems,