CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $61,500 - $68,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Student Health Insurance, the health insurance specialist responds to the health insurance-related questions, needs, issues, and concerns of Columbia students. The role of the health insurance specialist links administrative responsibilities with excellent customer service to provide comprehensive, analytical, student-centered health insurance advisement and problem-solving assistance to students. The health insurance specialist will exercise initiative and independent judgment to collaborate with Columbia Health clinical staff and University administrators to help students learn about and manage the costs and financing of their health care in ways that support students’ development as capable consumers of health care services.

Responsibilities

Respond to students’ questions, concerns, and needs regarding health insurance.

• Respond to students’ questions and requests regarding health insurance in priority order in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Help students understand and use off-campus referral services appropriately; assist students in obtaining needed referrals and integrating their care on- and off-campus.
• Work with the third party administrator to answer students’ questions and, within the limits of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), promote the resolution of problems with students’ health insurance claims.
• Help students understand documents (such as explanations of benefits) and communications received from health insurance companies.
• Answer students’ questions about usual and customary health insurance procedures, including the maintenance and protection of confidential personal health information.
• Respond to students’ questions about using their health insurance plan outside New York City and in other countries.
• Help students understand and prepare for the out-of-pocket costs of health care, including co-payments and deductibles.

Respond to inquiries from Columbia Health and University staff members concerning students’ health insurance.

• Answer questions regarding the coverage, limits, or requirements of students’ health insurance plans – especially the Columbia student health insurance plan.
• Refer providers’ reports of students who have complex or chronic illnesses or students taking a medical leave to the Assistant, Student Health Insurance to facilitate appropriate coordination between the insurance plan administrator and the student’s provider(s) for development of plans for on-going care.
• Assist clinical staff members in explaining health insurance procedures, requirements, and coverage to students.

Develop and manage collaborative relationships with other University offices and departments that may address students’ health insurance concerns.

• Work closely with Student Financial Services to provide assistance to students and their parents or guarantors regarding questions or concerns related to billing for the Columbia student health insurance plans.
• Assist other Columbia offices and departments in responding to students’ health insurance-related inquiries and requests.
• Develop and sustain effective cooperative and referral relationships with student affairs officers in the schools and with administrators in the academic departments regarding students’ compliance with the University’s health insurance requirements, billing for the student health insurance plan, or health insurance questions and concerns.

Participate in Insurance Office Information management and communication functions, as directed.

• Compile data from electronic and other sources and prepare reports as directed.
• Participate in the preparation of written student information materials as well as the development of insurance-related information for electronic resources such as the Columbia Health website.
• Participate in planning and presentation of new-student orientation sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or its equivalent experience required.
• Requires a minimum of 2-4 years related experience.
• A customer service mindset is critical coupled with strong analytical and organizational skills and ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative, and being proactive.
• Candidate must have excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Requires strong computer skills with knowledge of standard computer programs and aptitude for learning specific mainframe computer queries and data entry processes.
• Must be able to work as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic preparation in a field relevant to health care, health insurance or consumer services
• Experience in responding to consumer questions and concerns, such as in call centers, health insurance, or health care administration setting is preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.