Eligibility Benefits Specialist

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Iowa (LA); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Discounts

Job summary

The State of Iowa is seeking an Eligibility Benefits Specialist to assist individuals in applying for or renewing facility or waiver Medicaid benefits. The role is full-time, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, with potential for hybrid work after six months of training.

The position starts at $48,630.40 annually with potential raises after six months. The successful candidate will analyze policies, determine eligibility, and communicate with customers and third parties to ensure timely processing.

Qualifications

• Sixty semester hours (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university.
• OR a combination of education and experience substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time public contact work experience for each year of education.
• OR employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch with 18 months of full-time work at a Clerk Advanced level or above involving public contact.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret complex policies and procedures per state and federal regulations.
• Collect and analyze information from customers and 3rd parties to determine eligibility.
• Communicate effectively via phone, email and in person as needed.
• Meet daily and monthly processing timeframes.
• Prepare written documents and present clearly, both in writing and orally.
• Effectively manage an individual workload while working within a team.
• Maintain high attendance.
• Demonstrate organizational and critical thinking skills.
• Comply with State of Iowa regulations and DHS Employee Handbook work rules.

Skills

Critical thinking

Policy application experience

Strong communication

Customer service

Professional presence

Teamwork

Consultation

Education

Sixty semester hours

Job description

HHS, Division of Community Access, Facility and Waiver Eligibility Team, is seeking an Eligibility Benefits Specialist (Job Classification: Income Maintenance Worker 2) to assist vulnerable individuals in applying for or renewing facility or waiver Medicaid benefits.

This is a full-time opportunity, Monday – Friday with a work schedule of 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM with overtime as needed. This position will be domiciled in the nearest full-time HHS office to the candidate selected. This position may become a hybrid position offering the opportunity to work from home after a 6-month training and probationary period.

The starting salary for individuals new to employment with the State of Iowa is $48,630.40 annually. New employees are eligible for a raise after completing their first 6 months.

Core Essential Functions

• Analyze and interpret complex policies and procedures per state and federal regulations.
• Collect and analyze information from customers and 3rd parties to calculate and determine eligibility.
• Communicate effectively via phone, email and in person as needed.
• Meet daily and monthly processing timeframes.
• Prepare written documents and can clearly present, both in writing and orally.
• Effectively manage an individual workload while working within a team.
• Maintain high attendance.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational and critical thinking skills.
• Comply with all State of Iowa regulations and DHS Employee Handbook work rules.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Critical thinking.
• Policy application experience.
• Strong communication and customer service.
• Professional presence and strong work ethic.
• Solid teamwork and consultation.

Benefits

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

Background Checks

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov . All work performed on behalf of Iowa Health and Human Services must occur in the State of Iowa.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Sixty semester hours (or equivalent academic units) from an accredited college or university;
• OR a combination of education and experience substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time public contact work experience obtaining, analyzing and/or evaluating data for each year of the required college education (on the basis that thirty semester hours is equal to one year of work experience);
• OR employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 18 months of full-time work at a Clerk Advanced level or above involving public contact experience on a regular basis in a service area.