Disability Claims Examiner

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 IL.

SUMMARY

This Disability Claims Examiner 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. 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 worker’s 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.

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.

IMRF Salary & Benefits:

The expected annual salary range for this role is $50,300 - $53,000. 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:

• Generous insurance benefits, including medical and dental

• 35-hour base work week, Monday - Friday

• Death, disability, and pension retirement benefits as a member of IMRF

• Paid vacation & sick, 12-13 paid holidays and 2 personal days

• Business casual attire

• Award-winning organizational approach to performance excellence