Benefits Administrator

Description

Under the supervision of the Human Resources Director, is responsible for benefit administration and development. Maintains employee’s insurance benefits records and HRIS benefit systems. Monitors and tracks claims with access to confidential Human Resources and Labor Relations material. Conducts new employee orientations and the open enrollment process and explains insurance plans and benefits to employees and retirees. Responds to inquires related to insurance coverage of employees and retirees and assists them in the processing of claims.

Interacts with Financial Services and Treasurer’s Office personnel regarding invoices and other payable issues. Works on behalf of employees and retirees to ensure timely and appropriate benefits delivery consistent with provisions of the plan document.

• Manages employee benefit programs, handling health, retirement, and wellness plans, ensuring legal compliance, processing enrollments and claims, and serving as the main contact for employee inquiries about their benefits, acting as vital link between employees, HR and benefit providers.
• Reviews and processes updates to employee benefit records, ensuring accurate data is maintained in the County’s payroll system and with insurance carriers. Partners with Financial Services to ensure employee records are properly updated.
• Serves as the main contact for insurance carriers and third‑party administrators, responding to employee inquiries regarding status changes, plan provisions, and general benefit questions. Provides guidance to employees and retirees on insurance coverage, billing, claims, and reimbursements, and acts as a liaison with vendors on their behalf as needed.
• Monitors industry trends in insurance and employee benefits, providing updates and recommendations to the Health Care Coalition and Human Resources Director.
• Researches, evaluates, designs, and implements new benefit programs to ensure competitive value and options for employees.
• Maintains the payroll data base for health insurance waiver payments and maintains all adjustments to employees’ fringe benefit deductions. Works with retirees regarding payment of insurance premiums.
• Conducts orientation sessions with all new employees to explain and enroll them in County benefit programs.
• Collaborate with 3rd party vendor to review RFPs as related to health, life, dental, vision, and employee assistance programs as provided by the County.
• Write and update the policy and procedure and administers the wrap‑around plan for retiree health insurance.
• Reviews and processes benefit related invoices and prepares necessary payroll reports. Creates and disseminates reports for vendors related to employee accounts.
• In conjunction with Financial Services reviews monthly audit findings for health, dental and vision to maintain record accuracy.
• Maintains HRIS benefits related data and provides reports as needed.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with health, life, dental, vision and other benefit vendors.
• Administers health contributions on an annual basis for employees and retirees on an annual basis.
• Processes documentation for employees separating from County employment, maintains related records, and explains COBRA health insurance continuation options.
• Manages the annual employee and retiree open enrollment process. Designs enrollment information, conducts enrollment information meetings, maintains electronic enrollment system related documents and transmits to the County’s payroll system and vendors.
• Facilitates the joint/labor management Health Coalition Committee.
• Process all life insurance claims on behalf of beneficiaries with County’s life insurance carrier.
• Responds to questions regarding retirement and forms. Works with various departments in Ingham County and vendors to process retirement paperwork.
• Conducts internal audits to calculate payments and/or over payments, as required. Performs internal audits for the retirement process and to coordinates with MERS and Financial Services to ensure proper service credit and wages are reported for specific time frames as warranted for each potential retiree as well as MERS audits of…