General Statement of Responsibilities:

This position functions as part of a centralized team of professionals serving as advisors on complex issues and situations regarding all programs administered by the Office of Student Health Benefits. Programs include two student health benefit plans, a full employee benefits suite, a disability plan and a dental plan. The programs have a combined enrollment of 17,000 lives across all campuses within the University of Minnesota system. Individuals in this position must possess fine-tuned critical thinking and communication skills in order to provide service to enrollees and partners. This position also requires an in-depth understanding of University benefit plan policies, administrative policies associated with the programs' contracted vendors, academic registration, human resource job data, billing (both internally and student financial), health plan enrollment systems, benefit plan design and federal and state guidelines relating to health insurance.

Detailed Job Responsibilities:

Office of Student Health Benefits Administration:

• Counsel, advise, investigate, problem-solve and resolve issues from students, parents, faculty, staff and other third parties regarding all programs administered by the Office of Student Health Benefits. This requires knowledge of the Graduate Assistant Health Plan as well as international student and scholar benefits, the Student Health Benefit Plan, Resident Fellow and Intern benefits and the AHC Long Term Disability benefits. Answer questions and provide consultation via email, phone and in-person. Problems are varied and require in depth knowledge, sound judgment, and problem solving. Subjects range from eligibility questions when students change enrollment or employment, to benefits and coverage inquires, to consultation with department coordinators.
• Research, prepare and present appeals for review by Service Manager and/or Director. Serve in an advisory role when decisions are made regarding appeals. May communicate outcome to enrollees or other third parties.
• Continually look for ways to improve service to students by developing and suggesting changes to workflow, communications, systems and benefits.
• Serve as a direct contact with the plan vendors to troubleshoot IT, billing and enrollment issues.
• Provide leadership and training for student employees and new staff. Oversee projects completed by student employees and clerical staff.
• Promote a safe, equitable, and respectful environment in which concerns can be addressed effectively.

Benefit Plan Coordination:

• Serve as a subject matter expert on specific areas within the Office of Student Health Benefits (the Graduate Assistant Health Plan, the Student Health Benefit Plan, International Student Programs or Benefit Billing and Finance), providing counseling and advice to students, University staff, and training to co-workers.
• Audit enrollment data. Audit includes manually checking eligibility for 5,000 enrollees on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan, checking eligibility and billing accuracy for enrollees on the Student Health Benefit Plan and Voluntary Student Dental Plan, confirming visa status and compliance for international students and scholars and confirming payments received for all benefits. When discrepancies are discovered, individual must research to determine why and how errors occurred and develop a resolution. May consult with colleagues or Service Manager to help resolve issue. Responsible for communicating changes to students and departments. Also responsible for ensuring that termination notices and continuation of coverage information are sent to certain enrollees who are no longer eligible for benefits, in order to comply with federal mandates.
• Utilize PeopleSoft HR and Campus Solutions systems to determine eligibility for benefits and accuracy of enrollment and premium assessments. Consult with the Office of Human Resources Graduate Employment Office, International Student & Scholar Services and OneStop Student Services to ensure compliance with University policies. May consult with departmental HR coordinators as needed.

Outreach and Education:

• Provide feedback in the development of official communications including presentations, enrollment forms, emails, web content, and benefit brochures.
• Serve as a liaison at campus orientations. Present information regarding all benefits offered by the Office of Student Health Benefits to parents and international, domestic, graduate and professional students.
• Communicate with plan vendors as well as leaders within Boynton Health and throughout other departments (Student Finance, Health Services, International Student and Scholar Services, OneStop, Human Resources, Grad Employment, AHC, RecWell, etc.) on all University campuses to discuss procedures, policy changes and to address concerns as they arise.
• May serve on external committees and Boynton Health committees in an advisory role as appropriate.

Processing:

• Oversee timely and accurate processing of all enrollment, change, waiver and cancellation requests. Utilize two Boynton Health enrollment platforms Point and Click and GE/IDX, as well as the vendors' online enrollment systems to make updates/corrections in real time if needed.
• Ensure that premiums are calculated and billed correctly. Review payments that are posted to SAR. May process payments via EFS, credit card, check and cash. Follow-up if payment adjustments are needed.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years.
• Office and administrative experience in a health care setting.
• Excellent oral/written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a culture that respects and advances diversity and inclusion.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Business and computer training.
• Prior experience in medical terminology.
• Knowledge of University business procedures, student insurance policies and procedures, and Boyntonâ™s accounts receivable billing procedures.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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