Disability Claims Examiner

RPMGlobal; Oak Brook (IL); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension benefits

Medical and dental insurance

35-hour work week

One remote day per week after 1 year

Paid vacation and sick leave

Tuition reimbursement

Business casual attire

Job summary

IMRF is seeking a Disability Benefits Examiner to review applications and supporting documents, input data into the claim processing system, and support complex and routine disability claims. The role involves coordinating with external providers and IMRF departments to determine eligibility and benefit amounts.

The position emphasizes independent processing of most cases with supervision on the most complex claims, and customer service to members and employers.

Qualifications

• Customer service to IMRF members.
• Review and input information from IMRF forms.
• Collaborate with other IMRF departments and external providers.

Responsibilities

• Review and accurately input all information from IMRF forms and supporting documentation.
• Contact IMRF departments to obtain information and request corrections to resolve internal conditions.
• Contact employers, employees, physicians, hospitals, Social Security and workers' compensation carriers to determine eligibility, duration and amount of benefits.
• Review medical records to determine extent of disability for temporary/total and permanent claims and advise on pre-existing condition language.
• Approve temporary disability benefits and advise on eligibility for Total and Permanent disability.
• Provide customer service to employers, employees, medical providers, and other IMRF departments via written or telephone communication.
• Maintain a work in progress to meet service goals set by the Disability Manager.
• Provide information to vested members about retirement benefits and conduct service audits.
• Analyze initial claim applications to determine further information needs for approval/denial of disability benefits.
• Establish follow-up dates and methods for ongoing claims.
• Write letters to IMRF medical consultants summarizing facts of cases.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Education

Associate degree or two years related experience

Job description

Internal applicants must apply by 9/11/2026

SUMMARY

This position is responsible for reviewing applications, and supporting documents, for disability benefits, and inputting the correct information into the claim processing system to begin the processing of disability benefits. This position is responsible for using manual processing procedures to resolve most pending conditions. It is expected that this position can independently process all but the most complex temporary and total and permanent disability claims. Direct support will be given on complex disability claims involving trial work, outside wages, workers' compensation, and T&P initial and subsequent approvals by a Senior Claims Examiner or Analyst. Second level approval is needed by a Senior Claims Examiner or higher for T&P approvals, other manually approved claims, and pre-determined automated claims.

This position provides customer service for members who are applying for, or already approved for, or are being considered for continuing eligibility for disability benefits.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and accurately input all information from all IMRF forms and supporting documentation submitted by IMRF members.
• Contact other IMRF departments to obtain information and request corrections in an effort to resolve most internal conditions preventing payment of benefits.
• Contact employers, employees, physicians, hospitals, Social Security and workers' compensation carriers to obtain information necessary to determine eligibility, duration and amount of most disability benefits.
• Review medical records to determine extent of disability for temporary / total and permanent claims, and to make recommendations concerning the application of pre-existing condition language.
• Approve members for temporary disability benefits and make recommendations concerning member’s eligibility for Total and Permanent disability.
• Provide customer service to employers, employees, medical providers, and other IMRF departments by answering questions concerning procedures and benefits, either in writing or by telephone.
• Maintain a work in progress that meets the service goals established by the Disability Manager.
• Provide detailed information to vested members concerning retirement benefits, including a comparison between IMRF benefits available to disabled members and benefits available to retired members. This requires the examiner to do a service audit.
• Analyze the initial claim application and supporting documents to determine what additional requests for information must be made to obtain the necessary level of documentation to approve or deny the application for disability benefits.
• Establish follow-up dates and methods for each on-going claim assigned to them.
• Write letters to the IMRF medical consultants that summarize the medical and non-medical facts of disability cases.
• Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associate degree or two years related experience and/or on-the job training; or equivalent combination of education and experience equaling two years.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The expected annual salary range for this role is $53,369 - $58,705. Please note the salary information is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. The range listed is just one component of IMRF's total compensation package for employees.

Other factors include the following benefits:

• Pension, death, and disability benefits as a member of IMRF
• Generous insurance benefits, including medical and dental
• 35-hour base work week, Monday-Friday. Ability to work one day remote, per week after 1 year of hire.
• Paid vacation, paid sick, 12-13 paid holidays and 2 personal days
• Tuition reimbursement
• Business casual attire