Benefits Specialist I/II

Excellus BCBS; Town of De Witt (NY); In loco; USD 62.000 - 107.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Excellus BCBS in New York State is seeking a Benefits Specialist to design, administer, and deliver employee benefits programs. This role partners with Human Resources, employees, and external vendors to ensure accurate program execution, a positive employee experience, and compliance with relevant regulations.

The position covers post-retirement COBRA administration, Medicare aging-in activities, and compliance with HIPAA, ERISA, and ACA requirements, while supporting annual open enrollment and

Competenze

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field with 3+ years in benefits.
• Solid understanding of benefit plans and regulations.
• Familiarity with Workday and HRIS/Payroll systems.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.

Mansioni

• Supports day-to-day administration of employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement and post-retirement plans.
• Maintains benefit records in Workday and ensures confidentiality.
• Administers enrollments, qualifying life events, and annual benefits processes.
• Serves as a first point of contact for benefit inquiries and provides guidance.
• Maintains compliance with HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, COBRA and other regulations.

Conoscenze

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Discretion

Teamwork

MS Office

Workday

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Strumenti

Workday

HRIS/Payroll systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Descrizione del lavoro

Job Description

The Benefits Specialist supports the design, administration, and delivery of employee benefits programs. This role partners with Human Resources, employees, and external vendors to ensure accurate program execution, a positive employee experience, and compliance with relevant regulations.

Summary

Job Description

The Benefits Specialist supports the design, administration, and delivery of employee benefits programs. This role partners with Human Resources, employees, and external vendors to ensure accurate program execution, a positive employee experience, and compliance with relevant regulations.

Essential Accountabilities

Level I

• Supports the day-to-day administration of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits, retirement, and post-retirement plans.
• Monitors completion and collection of benefit-related documentation (paper and electronic), ensuring proper processing and secure record retention for active employees and retirees.
• Maintains and updates employee benefit records in Workday (HRIS system), ensuring accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality.
• Assists with benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, open enrollment, and annual benefits processes.
• Serves as a first point of contact for employee benefit-related inquiries, provides timely and accurate information and guidance.
• Researches and resolves routine benefit-related issues, escalating more complex matters as appropriate.
• Participates in new hire onboarding, including delivery of benefits orientation.
• Ensures adherence to corporate policies, privacy standards, and documentation requirements.
• Maintains confidentiality of employee information in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and safeguards sensitive information in accordance with the corporate privacy policies and procedures
• Consistently demonstrates high standards of integrity by supporting the Lifetime Healthcare Companies’ mission and values, adhering to the Corporate Code of Conduct, and leading to the Lifetime Way values and beliefs
• Maintains high regard for member privacy in accordance with the corporate privacy policies and procedures.
• Regular and reliable attendance is expected and required.
• Performs other functions as assigned by management.

Level II (in addition to Level I Accountabilities)

• Administers post-retirement benefits and COBRA processes, including documentation, notifications, and form processing.
• Interprets and applies benefit plan provisions to ensure accurate administration and informed decision-making.
• Maintains retiree cost-share data and oversees monthly retiree billing processes, including life insurance billing, approvals, and payment tracking.
• Performs and validates system data maintenance related to retiree benefit enrollments and on-going post-retirement benefit changes.
• Partners with Lifetime Benefits Solutions (LBS) to support active employee COBRA administration.
• Manages end-to-end Medicare aging-in activities, including eligibility reporting, employee communications, application tracking, auditing forms for completeness, system updates, and cost share communication.
• Supports and administers compliance activities (e.g., HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, COBRA), including audit preparation, report reconciliation, and issue resolution.
• Conducts audit and data reviews to validate accuracy, identify discrepancies, and recommend corrective actions.
• Partners with vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve escalated issues and ensure effective delivery of benefit programs.
• Collaborates with LBS to administer and interpret the Tuition Assistance program.
• Assists in the development and delivery of employee benefit communications, educational materials, and information sessions.
• Plans and coordinates the annual benefits fair and supports broader employee engagement initiatives.
• Identifies opportunities to improve processes, enhance operations efficiency, and elevate the employee experience.
• Stays current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging developments in employee benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

NOTE: We include multiple levels of classification differentiated by demonstrated knowledge, skills, and the ability to manage increasingly independent and/or complex assignments, broader responsibility, additional decision making, and in some cases, becoming a resource to others. In addition to using this differentiated approach to place new hires, it also provides guideposts for employee development and promotional opportunities.

Level I

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or relevant field with three or more years of experience in the Benefits field of Human Resources. In lieu of degree, a combination of education and related experience equivalent to 7 years may be considered.
• Solid understanding of benefit plans and relevant regulations.
• Familiarity with HRIS/Payroll integrated systems, Workday a plus.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Demonstrated business problem solving and process development skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize assignments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills and the ability to interact with employees at all levels within the organization and LTHC retiree members.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion with employee information.
• Ability to work independently and within teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Level II (in Addition To Level I Qualifications)

• Six or more years of experience in benefits administration. In lieu of degree, a combination of education and related experience equivalent to 10 years may be considered.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities with limited oversight.
• Demonstrated in-depth aptitude and understanding of the internal benefit processes as well as the legal environment that regulates all benefit plans.
• Demonstrated compliance-related aptitude and experience with drafting and submitting plan-related documentation including annual disclosures / notifications, 5500 Reporting / Summary Annual Reports, 401(k) Non-Discrimination Testing.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work while sitting and/or standing at a workstation viewing a computer and using a keyboard, mouse and/or phone for three (3) or more hours at a time.
• Ability to hear, understand, and speak clearly while using a phone, with or without a headset.
• Ability to travel across the Health Plan service region for meetings and/or trainings as needed.

In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this job description lists only those responsibilities and qualifications deemed essential to the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Compensation Range(s)

Level I: Grade E2: Minimum $62,400 - Maximum $96,081

Level II: Grade E3: Minimum $62,400 - Maximum $106,929

The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s minimum qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Please note: There may be opportunity for remote work within all jobs posted by the Excellus Talent Acquisition team. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis.