Beneficiary Services Representative; PEBLO

Overview

This individual serves as the Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) for the medical treatment facility (MTF) and its geographic area of responsibility. Provides Disability Evaluation System (DES) guidance in accordance with established DoD guidelines, data collection, medical coordination, Service member/commander/stakeholder advising, and procedural work related to Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) processing and Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) reevaluations in accordance with applicable instructions, regulations and directives.

Liaison support is provided to active duty and Reserve Component (RC) members and commanders on program requirements, military benefits, legal rights, and the appeals process. Coordinates Aeromedical evacuation or other patient travel requirements, fitness for duty determinations, line of duty (LOD) and other program requirements related to the DES. Provides Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) findings to service member and medical staff.

Tracks each DES case from referral to final disposition. Guides the Service member throughout the DES process.

• Ability to plan, organize and manage functions and staff within an MTF to meet program objects. Knowledge of the military healthcare organizational structure, major issues, policies, procedures and operations related to the management of the healthcare delivery systems.
• In depth knowledge, experience and training to handle and solve complex cases that arise when addressing fitness for duty or physical disability evaluation issues.
• Tact, diplomacy, and restraint in counseling and and explaining entitlements, benefits and responsibilities to all customers.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills to effectively accomplish the IDES process.
• Master of oral and written communication and customer service principles, methods, practices and techniques analytic methods, to include research tools and statistical analysis and, interpersonal relations practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to motivate, train, and work effectively with a diverse workforce. Must be able to draw realistic conclusions and recommend viable solutions.
• Ability to gather data from various sources, analyze date, statistical analysis, prepare statistical reports and recommendations for improvement.
• Skill in applying fact finding, analytical, and problem solving methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of DES processing regulations, instructions, procedures, and policies to assure timely case processing.
• Practical knowledge and understanding of the TRICARE program

• Responsible for obtaining, assembling and forwarding all required documents and records for the active duty, AFRC and ANG to the Veteran Affairs Medical Service Coordinator, the local MEB, the IPEB, the FPEB and other IDES stakeholders in accordance with regulatory guidance.
• Ensures LOD processing is accomplished for each IDES case.
• Provides guidance to all ranks of military personnel from all branches of the uniformed services, retirees, and families of those being processed through the IDES program of their rights, benefits, privileges, or obligations. Effective interpersonal communication skills to effectively accomplish the IDES process.
• Coordinates evaluation appointments; schedules follow-up appointments and appropriate referrals related to benefits.
• When the Service member is incapacitated or incompetent for pay purposes and unable to manage his/her own legal affairs, the PEBLO provides guidance and assists the legal next-of-kin on the Service member's rights and benefits
• Serves as a liaison between the Service member, their respective commander and a multi-disciplinary team of primary care managers, other appropriate health care professionals, medical care case managers, non-medical case managers (e.g., Recovery Care Coordinators (RCC)), patient administration personnel, the Office of the Airmen's Counsel (OAC), the PEB and the Military Department Wounded Warrior Program liaison or advocate. Skill in applying fact finding, analytical, and problem solving methods and techniques.
• Processes Review-in-Lieu-of (RILO) MEB…