Lead Long Term Disability Claims Specialist

About the Role

At MetLife, we seek to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our customers and our communities. The Lead LTD Claims Specialist manages a caseload of long term disability insurance claims in accordance with plan provisions and within prescribed time service standards. In this role, the Lead LTD Claims Specialist will be a technical expert and emerging leader who will be responsible for coaching and mentoring new associates as well as participating in projects to drive continuous improvement and improve the customer experience. The Lead LTD Claims Specialist is the highest-level individual contributor managing claims within the LTD organization. The Lead LTD Claims Specialist is responsible for exercising independent judgment, demonstrating critical thinking skills, exemplary customer service skills as well as effective inventory management skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage an assigned caseload of the most complex claims which consists of pending and ongoing/active reviews.
• Provides timely, balanced and accurate claims reviews, documentation and recommended decisions in a time sensitive and fast-paced environment and in accordance with state and department of insurance regulations.
• Provides timely and detailed written communication during the claim evaluation process which outlines the status of the evaluation and/or claim determination and interacts and communicates effectively with claimants, customers, health care providers, attorneys, brokers, and family members during claim evaluations.
• Compiles file documentation and correspondence requiring extensive policy and factual detail.
• Analyzes information to determine if additional information is needed to make a reasonable and logical claims determination based off the information available.
• Proficiently calculates monthly benefits due after elimination period, to include COLA, Social Security Offsets, and Rehab Return to Work benefits, and other non-routine payments.
• Collaborates effectively with both external and internal resources, such as physicians, attorneys, vocational consultants and CPAs, as needed, to gather data such as medical/occupational information in order to ensure reasonable, thorough decisions.
• Clarifies and reconciles inconsistencies when gathering information during claim evaluations and collaborates with Fraud Waste and Abuse resources as needed and addresses/resolves escalated customer complaints in a timely and thorough manner.
• Identifies and refers appropriate matters to our appeals, complaint, or litigation support areas.
• Serves as an extended leadership team member, participates in new hire onboarding including coaching, mentoring and development, providing direct support to Unit Leaders, and partners with the leadership team to meet project goals related to quality, timely claim outcomes, customer service and staff development and provide detailed, balanced feedback to leadership on individual, team, customer or site performance and offers solutions on opportunities identified.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of LTD/IDI Insurance Claims experience
• Excellent customer service skills proven through internal and external customer interactions
• Prior experience with independent judgement and decision making while relying on the available facts/problem solving/critical thinking
• Ability to effectively manage multiple systems and technology resources
• Organizational and time management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Knowledge of STD/FML, state leave laws, worker's compensation, ERISA, and Social Security

Pay

The expected salary range for this position is $64,000 - $80,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation and stock-based long-term incentives. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance and legal services
• Retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs
• Parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, volunteer time off
• Tuition assistance