Elliot Health System - Benefits Specialist - Full Time

Under the general supervision of the Manager of Benefits, administers employee benefit plans, which may include health, prescription, dental, wellness, flexible spending accounts, life, retirement plans and other voluntary offerings. Supports internal customers by creating administrative processes and serving as a point of contact for both employee and company specific benefits related questions and concerns. Identifies and resolves issues with external and internal teams. Ensures the company's benefits and benefit plans are both compliant and competitive. Focuses on maintaining a positive relationship with the business, vendors, other HR team members and the employees of Elliot Health System and its affiliated companies.

Job Responsibilities

• Ensures all benefit plans are administered correctly and efficiently, while adhering to regulatory and company deadlines; responsible for the administration of the health and welfare and/or retirement programs according to established standards and regulatory requirements. Acts as a liaison between employees and plan providers as needed, to identify, assess, and resolve issues and problems related to vendor service, plan design, communication issues, system processing, etc. Makes recommendations for changes, and implements corrective action as needed.

• Provides functional guidance and direction to employees, departmental managers, plus acts as a liaison with the government agencies, insurance carriers, consultants, brokers and the organization; responds directly to employees or HR Business Partner regarding the benefit issues that require a subject matter expert regarding the benefit offerings.

• Works with System Director, Benefits & HR Service Center, Manager of Benefits, insurers, broker and internal departments to maximize plan performance and the employee experience, as well as continually improving processes; proposes benefit plan improvements and develops cost control procedures to ensure maximum coverage at the least possible cost to the company and employee.

• Reviews, prepares and revises written employee communications (e.g. announcement materials, booklets and other media for communicating plan changes and general plan information to employees), plans and conducts employee communication meetings and presentations; ensures that benefit information on the intranet is kept current and accurate.

• Coordinates and presents benefits orientation program for all levels of newly benefit-eligible employees. Partners with Manager of Benefits to develop, revise, update, and maintain the presentation material as appropriate. Ensures all new hires are educated about the benefit enrollment process.

• Assists with the ongoing management of vendors; develops census data and works with broker for benefit related quotations (e.g. health, dental and vision plans, group and supplemental life insurance programs, retirement programs; evaluates quotations and makes recommendations; attends Benefit Meetings with carriers/brokers and assist in preparation of related material and presentations.

• Analyzes/audits and prepares monthly insurance carrier remittances to ensure payments are made in a timely manner; audits benefit deductions and remittances according to established standards.

• Works with HRIS to ensure the efficient integration of benefits processes with internal systems as well as ensuring external file feeds to vendors are accurate. Assists in testing and implementation of new benefit plans/groups with the HRIS system as needed. Maintains and stores pertinent benefits data in the HRIS database according to established company standards.

• Ensures the organization is compliant with all applicable Federal/State/Local Laws and makes recommendations for required policy or practice regarding including, but not limited to: ACA and ERISA.

• Maintains confidentiality of financial information, insurance and litigation documents, employee information and other sensitive and confidential information.

• Works assigned schedule, exhibits regular and predictable attendance and works outside of the normal schedule as required in order to meet workload demands. Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration or a related field or equivalent experience required.
• CBP or CEBS certification preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of employee benefits and/or retirement experience required.
• Healthcare experience strongly preferred.