Medical Only Claims Spec I/II

Emergent Holdings; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Emergent Holdings, located in Lansing, Michigan, is seeking a Medical Only Claims Specialist I to investigate and manage workers' compensation claims. The role offers an entry-level opportunity where the incumbent will be responsible for communication with stakeholders to determine claim compensability and manage the medical treatment process.

Candidates must possess a high school diploma and have a Michigan or Texas license within 180 days of starting. The position involves training and supporting team members, ensuring efficient handling of claims, and may require managing multiple jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• MI or TX license required within 180 days.
• Minimum of two years insurance experience desired.

Responsibilities

• Investigates workers' compensation claims within required time frame.
• Documents claims and verifies workers’ compensation coverage.
• Determines and manages medical treatment programs.

Skills

General knowledge of claims operations

Excellent communication

Negotiations

Prioritization

Mathematics

Analysis

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree in insurance or related field

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Medical Only Claims Specialist I is an entry level claims role. The incumbent is expected to be proficient with the Claims unit, policies, processes, procedures, and terminology.

SUMMARY

The Medical Only Claims Specialist I is an entry level claims role. The incumbent is expected to be proficient with the Claims unit, policies, processes, procedures, and terminology.

The Medical Only Claims Specialist II is an experienced level claims role. The incumbent is expected to perform at a high level with minimum supervision.

Primarily responsible for the investigation and management of workers’ compensation claims. Conducts a 1 to 3-point contact on the managed claims, which is dependent on either the facts of the case or the claim type; determines compensability of claims, manages the medical treatment program, and assists in the return-to-work process. This includes calling and discussing potential claim activity and work-related injuries with policyholders, claimants, providers, attorneys, agents, and state agencies. Trains and mentors other team members. Provides backup support to other Claim Handlers.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Investigates workers’ compensation claims with a mandatory contact to the employer within the required time frame with additional contacts to the employee or provider, as necessary.
• Documents claim file.
• Verifies workers’ compensation coverage (statutory and policy) of employers and injured employees.
• Determines, documents, and manages the on‑going medical treatment program including directing care, creating jurisdictional specific panels, and approving provider requests.
• Remains abreast of new case law decisions affecting claim and medical management.
• Monitors the work status of the injured workers.
• Evaluates medical reports and correspondence for appropriate action/documentation.
• Supports the customer service work and processes for the multi-functional claims team; communicates and collaborates with team members to ensure the appropriate and timely handling of claims in other states.
• May be required to handle multiple jurisdictions based on team needs.
• Establishes timely and appropriate reserves based on the profile of the claim within given authority and documents the basis for reserve calculations in the claim file.
• Determines causal relationship between the reported injury and the incident to ensure appropriate payment of benefits.
• Documents specifics of claims with potential for subrogation recovery.
• Assists Subro representative with investigation.
• Engages ISU to obtain police reports.
• Approves, edits, and denies payment based on knowledge of the treatment plan and medical support showing relationship of treatment to the injury.
• Concludes and closes files following resolution of claims to meet internal performance standards while complying with state legislation to avoid penalties and manage expenses.
• Coordinates with outside vendors to ensure cost containment efforts.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all internal and external customers. Assists with determining appropriate response to regulatory inquiries.
• Coordinates all efforts with proprietary technology, including causation investigations, Care Analytics, and future models.
• Determines appropriate response to regulatory inquiries and completes statutory filings, including EDI data completion.
• Composes correspondence and various reports in the administration of workers compensation claims; sets appropriate diaries.
• Reads, routes and keys incoming mail, runs reports and answers/responds to incoming phone calls on both direct and ACD line, faxes, and emails. This may include completing work for peers during absences to provide uninterrupted service to customers.
• Schedules independent medical evaluations, provides synopsis and outlines all questions to IME physician. Upon receipt of results, communicates to all parties, facilitates future treatment, or may result in formal denials being filed.
• Assigns ISU to complete causation investigation.
• Stays abreast of changes in workers’ compensation statutes, case law and rehabilitation efforts/advancements to accurately interpret and apply relevant laws.
• Handles telephonic mediations to avoid litigation.
• Communicates with plaintiff’s attorney and provides limited records to potentially avoid unnecessary litigation. Active litigation is transferred to another team. May handle mediation or teleconference dependent on the circumstances.
• Manages prescription requests, medical treatment, and ongoing return to work options for injured employees.
• Facilitates return to work for the injured employee and monitors work status on medical only claims with a keep at work focus.
• May serve as an adjuster to the dedicated account representative.
• Supports the team, as required, by acting as a back up to the MOCS, and Claims Representatives.
• Responsible to set the initial reserve and any subsequent changes on indemnity files.
• Approves, edits and denies medical bills for non-indemnity and indemnity claims directly associated with the claimed injury based on knowledge of the treatment plan and medical support showing relationship of treatment to the injury.
• Conducts employee‑employer interviews to assist in the return‑to‑work process.
• Supports the account management process appropriately for the team’s block of business.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR A MEDICAL ONLY CLAIMS SPECIALIST II

• Trains and mentors other team members.
• Mentors fellow team members and assists in their development as a MOCS.
• Works with minimum supervision.
• May attend agent and/or policyholder visits.

ADDITIONAL PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MAINTENANCE

• Initiates indemnity payments and monitors for items such as age reduction, coordination of benefits, Stozicki, Second Injury Fund, dependent drops and supplemental payments.
• Monitors rate of life expectancy and update/monitor reserves accordingly.
• Compiles annual CAT assessments and reviewing with appropriate parties.
• Evaluates cases for Stokes and PRIUM.
• Coordinates with outside vendors to ensure cost containment efforts.
• Works closely with manager on complex files or files above reserve authority.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: High school diploma.
• MI or TX license is required with 180 days of start date.
• Associate degree in insurance and/or related field with progress towards or completion of Insurance Institute of America (IIA) or other insurance related designation(s). Combinations of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• MI or TX license required.
• Successful completion of Medical Only Claims Specialist training program.
• 30 credit hours towards an Associate’s degree in insurance, business administration, health administration and/or a related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years insurance experience, including one (1) year of demonstrated technical knowledge (applying relevant workers compensation laws, regulations, guidelines, and/or policies). Relevant customer service experience over the phone is required.
• Associate’s degree in insurance, business administration, health administration and/or related field with progress towards or completion of IIA or other designation and two (2) years of insurance experience including one (1) year experience in a property & casualty claims role.
• 1 year’s experience as a MOCS I with demonstrated competency in multiple jurisdictions.
• Minimum of three (3) years insurance experience and two (2) years of demonstrated technical knowledge, including one (1) year managing workers' compensation claims.
• Skills, knowledge, and abilities: general knowledge of claims operations, ability to work effectively in a multifunctional business unit, excellent communication, diplomacy, discretion, negotiations, conflict resolution, prioritization, mathematics, analysis, use of reference manuals, knowledge of medical and legal terminology, and other relevant skills.
• Additional skills for MOCS II: Demonstrated ability to use diplomacy and discretion, negotiate and resolve conflict, manage multiple priorities, and work with minimal direction.
• Preferred additional education or experience: progress towards or completion of IIA or other insurance related designation(s).

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office setting with no unusual hazards. May be required to obtain reciprocal licenses in any jurisdiction requiring a license. May be required to travel, submit to a background check, or provide personal information in order to obtain these licenses.

MEDICAL ONLY CLAIMS SPECIALIST I NOTES

Internal Candidate: An incumbent who does not successfully obtain a MI or TX license at the end of the 180 days will not be placed in a MOCS role. If the Company is unable to return the incumbent to a bargaining‑unit job the incumbent will then be placed on the recall list in accordance with Article 8.8 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

External Candidate: Initial probationary period 180 days. Successful completion of probationary period requires adjuster license obtained in either MI or TX.