About the position Athens Administrators has an immediate need for a full-time Senior Claims Examiner to support our workers compensation offices and can be located anywhere in the state of California, however, employees who live less than 26 miles from the Concord, CA or Orange, CA offices are required to work once a week in the office on a day determined by their supervisor between Tuesday – Thursday. The remaining days can be worked remotely if technical requirements are met, and the employee resides in California. Athens offices are open for business Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time. The schedule for this position is Monday-Friday at 37.5 hours a week with the option of a flex schedule. The Senior Claims Examiner will adjust workers’ compensation claims from inception through settlement and closure, ensuring timely processing of claims and payment of benefits, managing, and directing medical treatment, setting reserves, and negotiating settlements. The Senior Claims Examiner will adjust workers’ compensation claims from inception through settlement and closure, ensuring timely processing of claims and payment of benefits, managing, and directing medical treatment, setting reserves, and negotiating settlements.

Responsibilities

• Establish contact with employer to review issues
• Respond to inquiries from the employer, employee, doctors, and attorneys
• Establish and maintain appropriate reserves
• Review legal correspondence and medical reports
• Evaluate and approve medical procedures and treatment
• Administer benefits and ensure appropriateness of all payments
• Investigate coverage, liability, and monetary value of claim
• Review medical and legal bills for appropriateness
• Discuss appropriateness of medical treatment with medical case manager
• Determine compensability
• Monitor and assist litigation
• Negotiate settlement of claim, liens, rehabilitation plans, etc.
• Prepare and present reports to clients
• Appropriately close claims
• Help resolve client billing and payment inquiries
• Investigate complaints from injured workers
• Document and code the claim files and claims system with all relevant information
• Maintain and update action plans within specified time frames
• Provide direction to Claims Assistants and Claims Technicians and assist with training, coaching, and mentoring as needed for them to support daily claims tasks
• Contact with employers, employees, attorneys, doctors, vendors, and other parties
• Provide customer service and support to clients and claimants
• Work collaboratively with attorneys to draft settlements and assist with litigation strategies
• Negotiate settlements
• Authorize and negotiate cost of medical treatment and supplies
• Internal communication with staff
• Prepare professional, well written correspondence and other communications

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) required for all positions
• AA/AS or BA/BS preferred but not required
• Administrators Certificate from Self-Insurance Plans will be required within one year of employment if not already obtained
• Must possess a current Experienced Indemnity Claims Adjuster Designation, provided by an insurer, as defined in California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Chapter 5, Subchapter 3, Section 2592.01(f)
• 3+ years recent workers compensation claims handling experience required
• Solid knowledge of workers compensation laws, policies, and procedures’
• Completion of IEA or equivalent courses
• Proficiency in determining case value and negotiating settlements
• Understanding of medical and legal terminology
• Mathematical calculating skills
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Ability to type quickly, accurately and for prolonged periods
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to learn additional computer programs
• Reasoning ability, including problem-solving and analytical skills, i.e., proven ability to research and analyze facts, identify issues, and make appropriate recommendations and solutions for resolution
• Ability to be trustworthy, dependable, and team-oriented for fellow employees and the organization
• Seeks to include innovative strategies and methods to provide a high level of commitment to service and results
• Ability to demonstrate care and concern for fellow team members and clients in a professional and friendly manner
• Acts with integrity in difficult or challenging situations and is a trustworthy, dependable contributor.
• Must be able to reliably commute to meetings and events as required by this position

Nice-to-haves

• At least 5 years of workers compensation claims experience preferred

Benefits

• We offer a variety of benefit plans including Medical, Vision, Dental, Life and AD&D, Long Term Care, Critical Care, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, HSA & FSA options, 401k (and Roth), Company-Paid STD & LTD and more!
• Further information about our comprehensive benefits package may be found on our website at https://www.athensadmin.com/careers/why-work-here