Appeals Specialist I

Utah Retirement Systems; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work option

Job summary

PEHP Health & Benefits, a division of Utah Retirement Systems, is seeking an Appeals Specialist I to research member and provider appeals and prepare documentation for Executive Review and Provider Dispute Review Committees.

The role requires strong, clear communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work with providers and members while maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High School diploma required; 1 year of relevant experience preferred.
• Experience with PEHP policies and benefits is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Researches review requests for resolvable claims and compiles information for Executive Review.
• Distributes documents to Committee members and maintains appeals data.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and provider contracts.
• Ensures compliance with state/federal regulations and provider contracts.
• Documents outcomes and maintains case data history and files.

Skills

Excellent communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Teamwork

Education

High School diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Health care coding

Office management systems

Job description

About The Company

PEHP Health & Benefits is a division of the Utah Retirement Systems that proudly serves Utah’s public employees through high quality and competitively priced medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance plans on a self-funded basis. As a government entity, we embrace both a public mission and a commitment to creating customer value, excelling in the market, and improving healthcare. We offer a competitive salary with generous benefits, personal development in a positive team environment, and excellent work-life balance. For most jobs, remote work is available for 9 out of every 10 workdays.

Job Description

The Appeals Specialist I position plays a critical role ensuring that PEHP member and provider appeals are researched according to Master and Corporate Policy and compiling appeal documentation for review by the PEHP Executive Review Committee and the PEHP Provider Dispute Review Committee. This role performs a variety of reviews for medical, dental, FSAs, and enrollment appeals that have been disputed by members or providers. Successful performance requires knowledge of PEHP policies and various group plan benefits. Fundamental skills include strong letter writing and communication skills, conflict management experience, analysis, and the ability to be a team player.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

• Researches requests for review of resolvable claims from providers. Compiles information related to member appeals that request an Executive Review.
• Provides copies of necessary documents and submits information to the Appeals and Policy Manager for review. Copies appropriate documents from appeal file, creates information packets, and distributes to members of the Executive Review Committee prior to scheduled meetings. Maintains current data on appeals and resolvable claims.
• Meets with members to coordinate the review of claim payment documents and records that pertain to the appealed claim. Provides copies of such claim’s payment documents and records to members upon request.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and provider contracts throughout all levels of the appeals process.
• Ensures that denied claims that are approved on appeal are paid promptly and correctly according to the directives of the Executive Review Committee.
• Creates written correspondence to members and providers regarding appeal outcome and benefit determination. Creates written documentation of Executive Review Committee decisions. Documents approval or denial of appeal in the members’ history and in the Case Data Management log.
• Maintains files and documentation relating to the development, updating, and maintenance of the Master Policy and other applicable documents (i.e., Benefit Summaries, Comparison of Benefits, etc.). Submits requests for benefit changes, wording changes, distribution, etc. to the Appeals and Policy Manager. Documents approval and makes certain that the approved changes/modifications are made to all applicable documents. Ensures that changes are communicated to all employees involved in processing resolvable claims and appeals.
• Participates in researching correct coding for specific medical, dental, and pharmacy payment policies and procedures created by Clinical Management. Provides updated information for maintenance to claims payment editing systems.
• Maintains various reports needed to track departmental functions and productivity.
• Is responsible for some imaging tasks.
• Receives referrals from adjuster/customer service, providers, insured members, through screening of claims histories and system automation. Works closely with providers, vendors, and insured members to obtain information including but not limited to history and physicals, treatment plans, progress notes, pre-authorization requests, etc.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

High School diploma, and one (1) year of progressively responsible experience performing a variety of technical and administrative duties; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PEHP experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position:

Required technical skills include the working knowledge of:

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Health care coding and information systems.
• Various office management systems related to alpha and numeric record keeping.

Required mathematical skills include working knowledge of:

• Calculating figures and amounts such as discounts and percentages.
• Concepts of basic math.

Required healthcare, appeals, and policy management basic knowledge of:

• Research techniques.
• Master Policy and procedure development processes.
• Medical, dental, pharmacy, mental health, and Medicare Supplement claims, adjudication policies, procedures, and processes.
• Healthcare coding and information systems.
• HIPAA privacy policies and PEHP’s internal privacy policy.
• Benefits review processes and procedures.

Must possess excellent communication skills:

• Read and interpret documents, such as plan policies.
• Routine and technical correspondence.
• Interpersonal communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Present information and respond to questions from management, members, and peers.
• Telephone etiquette.
• Basic public relations.

Must have the ability to:

• Problem solve.
• Maintain effective working relationships with professionals, department heads, co-workers, and the public.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Analyze information, draft technical reports, and documents.
• Prioritize work.
• Perform within deadlines.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Multi-task by handling a variety of duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Follow through with assignments.
• Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.

The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of URS.

Work Environment

Incumbent performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions.