Short Term Disability Claim Specialist

MetLife; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

MetLife's Global Customer Service and Operations team administers disability claims with a focus on trust and empathy, guiding claimants through return‑to‑work strategies while leveraging innovative technology to improve processes. The role requires close collaboration with internal teams to deliver consistent, excellent service across complex scenarios.

The position emphasizes ownership of claim decisions, proactive claimant communication, and adherence to contractual provisions, with a strong

Qualifications

• Live within commutable distance to the posted site.
• Locations: Oriskany NY, Bloomfield CT, Tampa FL, Cary NC.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Understanding of disability contractual provisions, especially the definition of disability.
• Strong communication skills.
• Critical-thinking, strategic-thinking, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to give and receive feedback using specific measurements.

Responsibilities

• Applies disability contract provisions to ensure liability is understood and appropriately applied throughout the life of the claim.
• Communicates with the claimant to set expectations and assess barriers to return to work, keeping them informed of status.
• Partners with the claimant and resources to ensure a well‑understood plan for return to work and prognosis, updating partners on key events.
• Manages assigned claims block, prioritizes actions, uses resources efficiently, and makes timely claim decisions.
• Delivers high level service including timely calls back and clear communication with claimants.

Skills

Communication skills

Coaching claim specialists

Critical thinking

Prioritization

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

On MetLife’s Global Customer Service and Operations (GCSO) team, customer care is built on trust, empathy, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Whether guiding customers through life’s important moments, solving challenges, or simplifying processes with innovative technology, you’ll help deliver a differentiated experience grounded in operational excellence. Backed by a collaborative team, you’ll play a vital role in strengthening the way we care and advocate for millions worldwide. Here, making a real difference isn’t just a goal - it’s what we do, one conversation at a time.

The Opportunity

Claim owner and decision-maker. Responsible for administering claims within contractual provisions and internal /external guidelines. Establishes a relationship with claimants in order to understand their perspective on their disability. Using that perspective and other information, identifies the claimant’s functional capacity and leverages that capacity within the context of the contract to support and encourages return to work as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Applies all appropriate provisions of the disability contract to ensure that MetLife’s liability is understood and appropriately applied throughout the life of the claim. Within the context of liability, encourage and support return to work through a variety of programs and methodologies.
• Proactively communicates with the claimant to set expectations, assess medical and non-medical barriers to return to work, and keep him or her fully aware of the status of the claim, including setting expectations with the claimant if other resources (Voc, etc.) will be contacting him/her.
• Partners with the claimant, specialty resources, and more experienced resources to ensure that each claim has a well‑understood plan that is appropriate for the unique situation of each claimant, his or her functional capacity and the prognosis for an increase in that capacity. Proactively updates partners that may be working with the claimant when key events are being considered or have occurred. (closure, RTW, etc.).
• Manages overall block of assigned claims, including prioritizing actions, appropriately utilizing resources, and timely and accurate decision. Executes individual claim action plans, serves as point of contact for the claimant, and makes claim decisions.
• Provides a high‑level of service to the claimant, including delivering on commitments, timely return of phone calls, and clear communication.

Required Qualifications

• New hires should live a commutable distance from the site the role is posted in.
• Locations: Oriskany NY, Bloomfield CT, Tampa FL, Cary NC
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• A comprehensive understanding of the disability contractual provisions, especially the definition of disability.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to coach Case Specialist to interview claimants dynamically with the goal of setting claimant expectations and obtaining information necessary to administer the claim.
• Critical‑thinking, strategic‑thinking, and prioritization skills
• Ability to give and receive feedback using specific measurements and observed behavior as well as openness to receiving feedback

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Degree
• 1+ years of claims management experience preferably in Healthcare field
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word/Excel

The expected salary range for this position is $40,000 - $52,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short‑term incentive compensation and stock‑based long‑term incentives. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

Benefits We Offer

Our U.S. benefits address holistic well‑being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no‑cost short‑ and long‑term disability. We also provide company‑paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!

About MetLife

Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World’s 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it’s #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!

MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”).

If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.

MetLife maintains a drug‑free workplace.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.