Internal Candidates Apply Before December 4, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) provides death, disability, and pension retirement benefits to employees of local governments and school districts in Illinois (with the exception of the City of Chicago and Cook County). We are the second largest—and best funded—statewide public pension system in Illinois, IMRF serves approximately 3,000 municipal employers in the State. We are an award-winning organization, located in Oak Brook. IMRF is looking for top talent, for a direct hire opportunity that is benefit eligible. If you are passionate about Disability Claims Examiner duties and meet the requirements, we want to hear from you.
SUMMARY
This position is responsible for providing senior examiner level support to: (1) Process and approve Temporary and Total and Permanent (T&P) disability claims, including the most complex applications (2) Process/respond to member, employer, and medical providers inquiries concerning disability eligibility.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Along with the Disability Examiners: Process and approve all types of Disability applications, with emphasis on claims requiring adjustment of system FRE, off-line benefit adjustment due to outside earnings, or SS or WC benefits.
• Process/respond to member, employer, medical providers, Social Security administration and Workers’ compensation inquiries concerning service and eligibility
• Process, audit and approve disability payments crediting service to members’ account.
• Make process improvements suggestions to streamline the Disability functions
• Conduct internal research and review all application types, payments, support documents, member and employer records to determine eligibility for disability benefits using mainframe and PC programs.
• Provide expert support to the Disability team and assist the team with resolution of all system QAMS and work queues to ensure consistency in the Unit. Must answer questions about disability applications processing.
• Research complex disability claims and provide recommendations to the department administrative staff.
• Create and assist examiners in creating, freeform written responses, or alteration of system letters to respond to inquiries or explain non-standard situations.
• Act as a liaison between Disability Unit and benefits claims processing.
• Prepare temporary and total and permanent disability claims for the Benefit Review Committee hearings.
• Assist examiners in creating freeform written responses, or alteration to system letters, to respond to inquiries, explain processes related to the filing of a request for a hearing, or any subject related to the appeal process.
• Assist staff with preparing and referring disability claims to the medical vendors to review.
• Daily processing and auditing duties could, include, but are not limited to:
• Analysis – Must be able to perform review of claims in making benefit decisions, including review of medical documents, independent medical examination reports, and Medical Consultant reports.
• Knowledge-Must know all disability types, past and present IMRF policies, legal rulings and procedures, and of the Illinois Pension Code statutes, as they relate to all areas of IMRF.
• Research – Knowledge of the various resources, and ability to determine which of these resources should be used in order to locate diverse types of information. Resources include IMRF Enterprise Benefit System (Horizon), Imaging system, microfiche, microfilm, employer paper files, board minutes, Illinois Pension Code, IMRF Legal Interpretations, Authorized Agent's Manual, external documentation, member employment records, payroll records, employer resolutions, payment information, social security records, Illinois state statutes, IMRF policies and procedures.
• Data Organization – Enter applications and member information into systems. Information includes, but is not limited to: personal member information, earnings records, coverage periods, interest dates, cost factors/variances, and comments. Maintain, track, and organize workload individually and as a team. Maintain documents in the Horizon system to complete work in a timely manner.
• Communications – Responsible for responding to member, employer, Illinois reciprocal and out-of-state retirement system inquiries. Computer-generated and manually written correspondence, in addition to daily oral communication, is required.
• Foster a positive, team centered culture in support of our Values and individual accountability (Change Champion).
• Support achievement of the organization’s Journey of Excellence, Mission, Vision and Strategic Objectives of IMRF.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily. An individual must have strong people and communication skills to provide excellent, high-quality service to the staff and the members. An individual must also be approachable, possess strong interpersonal skills, and have the ability to work within a team environment. 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
Three-Year minimum IMRF experience working with Disability applications, including analytical experience with SPECTRUM screens and information.
OR
Two-Year minimum IMRF experience working with Disability applications and 2 years related experience working with disability applications.
OR
Two-Year minimum IMRF experience working with Disability applications and an Associate’s Degree.
