Case Manager Disability

lifeworks; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TELUS Health in Houston is seeking a Concurrent Disability Case Manager to oversee Short-Term Disability (STD) cases and FMLA/State leaves. The role focuses on eligibility assessments, claims adjudication, and collaborative return-to-work planning with employees and client contacts.

You'll review medical documentation, communicate clearly with claimants, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and plan regulations while supporting efficient, customer-focused case management.

Qualifications

• 3+ years managing Leaves and STD case management.
• Proficient in online/paperless work environments.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
• Deep understanding of FMLA and state leave laws.
• Experience with self-insured STD plans and company leaves.
• Ability to review medical docs and translate into accommodations.
• Excellent communication with confidentiality and empathy.
• Collaborative relationships with US Disability Case Managers.

Responsibilities

• Manage FMLA, military, state leaves and STD cases.
• Contact employees and client contacts to explain processes.
• Document understanding of situations and RTW plans.
• Review information and consult with resources to determine approvals.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory timeframes and STD policies.
• Inform claimants of needed docs, timelines and status.
• Set RTW goals and support return-to-work planning.
• Act as primary contact with employer representatives for cases.
• Follow procedures and participate in trainings and meetings.
• Handle other projects and tasks as assigned.

Skills

Leaves management

STD case management

Interpersonal skills

Regulatory expertise

Medical literacy

Communication

Confidentiality

Collaboration

Job description

TELUS Health is empowering every person to live their healthiest life. Guided by our vision, we are leveraging the power of our leading edge technology and focusing on the uniqueness of each individual to create the future of health. As a global-leading health and well-being provider - encompassing physical, mental and financial health - TELUS Health is improving health outcomes for consumers, patients, healthcare professionals, employers and employees.

TELUS Health is empowering every person to live their healthiest life. Guided by our vision, we are leveraging the power of our leading edge technology and focusing on the uniqueness of each individual to create the future of health. As a global-leading health and well-being provider - encompassing physical, mental and financial health - TELUS Health is improving health outcomes for consumers, patients, healthcare professionals, employers and employees.

Our team and what we'll accomplish together

Employees can be absent from work for a variety of reasons: casual absence, work‑related illness and/or injury, or health issues requiring the employee to be away from the workplace for an extended period. Our absence management program helps employers strategically manage those absences- focusing on reducing overall costs, realizing administrative efficiency, and enhancing support for employees and employers. All with the goal of returning employees to health and productivity.

The Concurrent Disability Case Manager will oversee, manage, process, and adjudicate Short‑Term Disability (STD) claims and leave requests (FMLA, State, and company‑specific). This position is responsible for evaluating eligibility based on federal, state, and plan‑specific regulations, communicating clearly with clients and claimants throughout the claims lifecycle, and ensuring ongoing case management adheres to company best practices and client‑specific workflows.

The case manager assesses any barriers to a successful and timely return‑to‑work and engages with stakeholders to implement strategies to address those identified barriers and support return to work or an appropriate alternative plan.

What you'll do

• Manage and process FMLA (and other Federal leaves as applicable), Military, State leaves; company specific leave claims as well as STD claims.
• Conduct case assessments, contact the employee and their client contacts, by telephone, email or adhoc meetings, to explain the leave management process, employee accountabilities, and gather information for assessment purposes.
• Develop and document an understanding of the situation and the factors supporting, as well as inhibiting, a successful return to work for the employee.
• Review all relevant information and consult with appropriate resources as required (e.g. health professionals, supervisory team, external vendors) to confirm decision (approved / denied) recommendation on FMLA, State, Company specific leaves and STD cases.
• Analyzes medical certifications and other medical documentation and claim determination adheres to the required regulatory compliance timeframes as well as applicable STD policies undefined
• Informs STD claimants of any documentation needed to process a claim, timeframe requirements, claim status (e.g. STD approvals, denials, and consults), or any other information necessary to manage a claim.
• Determine an appropriate RTW goal with the employee and the employer; as well as provide active support for the return-to work planning process between the employee and their client contact and intervene when necessary.
• Act as the primary case contact and will communicate proactively and continuously with the employer's representative(s) regarding any case management matters that may be required through the life of claim.
• Will follow all processes as laid out in the operating procedures and/or as detailed in trainings/meetings.
• Attend Case Management and Disability Management department team meetings and training as required.
• Other projects and tasks as assigned

What you bring

• Minimum 3+ years of direct experience managing Leaves and STD disability case management.
• Computer skills and the ability to work primarily online in a paperless environment.
• Strong interpersonal and helping skills along with assessment and problem‑solving skills.
• Regulatory Expertise : Deep understanding FMLA, state specific leave laws
• Company policies and plans : Experience in managing self‑insured Short Term Disability (STD) Plans as well as company specific paid and unpaid leave policies.
• Medical Literacy : Ability to review and interpret medical documentation and translate clinical restrictions against essential job functions and make recommendations related to workplace accommodations.
• Communication : Exceptional conflict resolution and negotiation skills, with the ability to handle sensitive medical information with extreme confidentiality and empathy.
• Key Collaborative Relationships with US Disability Case Managers : peer to peer support and rev