Benefit Analyst

USD $27.52/Hr. - Max USD $42.65/Hr.

About the Role

Participates in the development, implementation, and administration of benefit programs. Serves as a subject matter expert in benefits, responsible for research, analysis, and administrative support for the colleague benefit program, including health and welfare and pension plans for all colleagues of Memorial Health. Embodies the Memorial Health Values of Safety, Integrity, Quality, and Stewardship that support the mission and vision.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to a college degree, preferably in business, human resources, or related discipline (or the equivalent in related work experience).
• Professional certification a plus (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM)).
• Minimum of three years of experience in benefits administration is required.
• Previous experience in a health care setting is preferred.
• Prior experience with self-insured health plans required.

Skills

• Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving, interpretation, interpersonal, planning, and organization skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Lawson experience a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, DOL, and IRS regulations governing administration of both qualified and non-qualified plans.
• Self-directed with the ability to work autonomously on several projects concurrently.

Responsibilities

• Embodies the Memorial Health Values of Safety, Integrity, Quality, and Stewardship.
• Supports administration of all benefit programs (e.g., health and welfare, retirement plans) including qualified and non-qualified plans.
• Ensures colleague benefit programs operate in compliance with plan designs, carrier contracts, Health System policies, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Participates in the preparation, development, and implementation of new benefits, initiatives, programs, and policies, including evaluation and selection of service providers.
• Assists in the development and preparation of all plan documents, amendments, contracts, summary plan descriptions, required disclosures (e.g., Summary Annual Reports (SARs), Summary of Benefits Coverage (SBC), fee disclosure, Summary of Material Modifications (SMM)), and all forms of communication materials relating to benefit plans.
• Responsible for all administrative duties for the MHS defined benefit pension plan, including research of data for actuaries, maintenance of pension payment data, and all appropriate files in the electronic system.
• Handles pension benefit calculation requests, projected benefit estimates, and initiates retiree pension benefits.
• Manages the dependent verification process with the dependent verification vendor, coordinating with colleagues and vendors to ensure all required forms are collected.
• Reviews and saves reports from vendors, including pension, 401(k), and 403(b) plans.
• Meets with and counsels colleagues/dependents regarding their benefits as needed.
• Provides statistics and related documents to auditors for all MHS pension plans.
• Assists in the administration of absence management benefit plans, including PTO, sick leave, and short-term disability.
• Develops, reengineers, and administers procedures in alignment with system capabilities and organization policies for administration of paid time off benefits.
• Assists in administering and delivering the Wellness program, evaluating colleague wellness trends, and recommending changes to benefit programs.
• Collects, manipulates, reconciles, reviews, and presents participant data to administer benefit programs, identifying and resolving issues as they arise.
• Assists in the coordination and implementation of the benefits annual enrollment for the Health System.
• Provides coaching support to colleagues, beneficiaries, HR, and managers on benefit plans and the interpretation/explanation of benefits policies, eligibility, processes, tools, and systems.
• Creates documentation for new processes and accurately updates existing documentation based on enhancements.
• Creates and monitors processes and supports continuous improvement efforts.
• Manages the Employee Health Benefit Plan eligibility appeals process, reviewing appeals, making recommendations, and communicating outcomes to colleagues.
• Collaborates with vendors and internal departments on solutions to complex problems or delivery of new or changing functionality within benefit plans or programs.
• Maintains knowledge of laws and regulations related to benefit programs, staying current with pending changes and ensuring compliance.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends and regulatory requirements.
• Performs other related work as required or requested.