Benefits Specialist Trainee - Long Term Disability

Job Posting End Date: October 06

Unum is a company of people serving people. As one of the world's leading employee benefits providers and a Fortune 500 company, Unum's financial protection benefits help protect more than 36 million working people and their families from the financial impact of illness or injury.

Unum's two distinct, but similarly focused US businesses – Unum US and Colonial Life – are each a market leader in making disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, and vision insurance accessible in the workplace.

Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Unum also has significant US operations in Portland, Maine and Baton Rouge, Louisiana - and over 35 field offices nationwide. Colonial Life is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina with over 40 field offices nationwide.

General Summary:

We are in the business of helping others and we are looking for individuals to help us fulfill the promise we make to our customers of providing exceptional customer service everyday: offering empathy in every interaction, simplicity, that allows time for what it is most important and expertise to guide our customers through their time away from work. Don’t worry – we’ll teach you everything you need to know through our robust training and mentorship program! Our clients trust us to take care of their employees in a time of need and we take pride in the services we provide – both what we do and how we do.
As a Long-Term Disability Benefit Specialist Trainee, you will be responsible for learning and developing the skills necessary to successfully adjudicate assigned claims in accordance with our philosophy and policies.
Trainees must demonstrate the ability to effectively manage an assigned caseload, the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment and the ability to appropriately render timely claim decisions, demonstrating strong customer service prior to movement to exempt level benefits specialist role.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop skills to manage a caseload of complex claims; ensuring appropriate sign offs are obtained.  Caseload size may vary by product(s).
• Develop an understanding and working knowledge of Unum products, policies/procedures and contracts.
• Develop an understanding of the applicable contract/policy definitions and relevant provisions, clauses, exclusions, riders and waivers as well as regulatory and statutory requirements for claim products administered.
• Apply contract/policy knowledge and analyze technical and complex contractual knowledge (policies and provisions) to ensure appropriate eligibility requirements, liability decisions and appropriate payee.
• Develop problem solving skills by demonstrating analytical/ logical thinking, recognizing multiple connections, optimizing results by choosing the best strategies resulting in fair and objective claim decisions.
• Verify on-going liability and develop strategies for return to work opportunities as appropriate. Develop and strengthen claim validation and return to work techniques, where applicable.
• Produce objective, clear documentation and technical rationale for all claim determinations and demonstrate the ability to effectively verbally communicate determinations.
• Develop knowledge and effectively utilize a broad spectrum of resources, materials and tools regarding contractual, medical, vocational, disability and RTW strategies, as required.
• Develop an operating knowledge of the applicable claims system(s).
• Coordinate and share information with other products as appropriate.
• Provide timely and excellent customer service by paying appropriate claims promptly and quickly responding to all inquiries.  
• Maintain expected service and quality standards on all assigned claims.
• Protects the Company against extra-contractual liabilities by following established guidelines and regulations
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent, required
• Customer service / decision making experience and/or College experience.
• Able to utilize claim investigative techniques to identify and evaluate claim information in a fair and objective manner.  Including appropriate identification of resources needed to assist with decision making process.
• Detail oriented; able to analyze and research a variety of complex contractual information.
• Able to maintain a high level of confidence to make fair and appropriate decisions even in the face of disagreement, while also being open and flexible to changing opinion based on new information. 
• Demonstrated ability to operate with a sense of urgency and make balanced decisions with the highest degree of integrity and fairness.
• Able to influence others to reach appropriate and constructive conclusions.
• PC skills are essential; ability to operate effectively in an imaged environment.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and balance goals and priorities effectively in a highly complex and ever-changing environment.
• Self-motivated, independent with proven ability to work effectively on a team and work with others in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Strong mathematical aptitude is essential.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong communication; verbal, written, and listening, as well as strong interpersonal skills.
• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

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 Our company is built on helping individuals and families, and this starts with our employees. We want employees to maintain a positive balance, which is why we provide access to the benefits and resources they need to invest in themselves. From our onsite fitness facilities and generous paid time off to employee professional development programs, we are committed to helping employees live and work their best – both inside and outside the office.

 

Unum is an equal opportunity employer, considering all qualified applicants and employees for hiring, placement, and advancement, without regard to a person's race, color, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, military status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or protected veteran status.

Company:

Unum