Benefits Analyst I, Full-time, Days (Hybrid)

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Benefits Analyst I reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Benefits Analyst I is a subject matter expert on organizational benefits providing analysis, support, education, and training for employees and key stakeholders. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise on all benefit products and services.
• Provide analytical support and/or analysis of employee benefit plans as needed.
• Monitor benefits queue within the HR case management tool and identify trends. Handle benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution.
• Maintains contact in person, and by phone or mail, with insurance companies, employees and beneficiaries to facilitate proper and complete utilization of benefits for all employees.
• Identify compliance issues/concerns, review plan amendments. Research plan issues and prepare to resolve in accordance with regulations.
• Remain proficient on legislative and IRS changes relative to plan regulations, procedure changes and mandated disclosures and ensure regulatory compliance not limited to distribution of required notices.
• Develop and maintain Benefits Communications content for ServiceNow and other intranet related content.

• Advise and educate employees on plan offerings and communication/support services available.
• Conduct training sessions including but not limited to New Employee or Physician Orientations, Open Enrollment Info Sessions, Department Meetings, integration educational sessions, and Lunch & Learns.
• Develop recommendations to establish new plans and/or make needed changes and/or process improvements to the current plan options.
• Provide advice, training, guidance, to Service Center Reps and HR Business Partners and collaborative support as needed to Payroll, IT & MyNM Service Center and HR Service Line on benefit related issues/concerns.
• Complete administrator and end user testing as needed for Benefits related system upgrades, integrations and annual Open Enrollment.
• Provide eligibility file feed support, audit interfaces, systems and benefit events to ensure accuracy, timeliness of payroll deduction if applicable.
• Complete tasks related to the transition of benefit plans for acquired or merged companies.
• Coordinate and implement new vendors and/or vendor transitions as needed and provide on-going vendor management support.
• Support benefit managers to conduct data analysis and work on projects as needed.

Additional Functions   

• Carry out special projects/initiatives and benefit related responsibilities as assigned.

Addendum 1 – Health & Welfare Benefits

• Coordinate all Open Enrollment related activities year-round including coordination with IT, HRIS, HR Service Line, Payroll and vendors to ensure the Open Enrollment Checklist activities are executed successfully.
• Support Tier 1 Network in coordination with the payor(s), NMPN and Integration Management Office (IMO).
• Review, draft and make recommendations for changes and coordinate with communications any changes needed for benefit materials.
• Responsible for Affordable Care Act compliance, tax filings, education, and communications.
• Assist and/or complete tasks related to the transition of benefit plans for acquired or merged companies; including but not limited to: provider coordination, communications and health plan network updates.
• Manage and document NM appeals with confidentiality, coordinate committee activities.
• Provide Ben Admin support as needed for various Benefit products.

Addendum 2 – Retirement & Physician Benefits

• Manage day-to-day administration of the organizations qualified and nonqualified retirement plans.
• Serve as primary contact and liaison between Department/Division Administrators, Practice Managers, Northwestern University (NU), Northwestern Medical Group (NMG) and Regional Medical Group (RMG) for physician (faculty and non-faculty) benefits across the health system to resolve benefit related issues.
• Responsible for the preparation, reconciliation and funding of the bi-weekly payroll process.
• Provide special guidance to faculty and non-faculty physicians on maximizing their retirement contributions.
• Works with management, vendors, finance, payroll, HRMS, and legal to ensure administration of plans are carried out in accordance with DOL and ERISA regulations.
• Works closely with NU, NMHC, and Northwestern Medical Group Payroll to process adjustments to maintain continuity and prevent disruption.
• Works extensively with NU FASIS Department to ensure benefit programs are accurately set up in the system and audits NMHC benefit deduction amounts are correctly transmitted.
• Acts as Physician Benefit and Retirement support contact including but not limited to interaction with Physician Comp., Physician Disability and Leave Coordinator, Health and Welfare Benefits and other areas as needed.
• Performs detailed analysis and conducts weekly, monthly, and annual audits of plan data.
• Researches, validates and provides corrective actions related to compliance of plans and data integrity.
• Ability to read, analyze and apply plan provisions in accordance with the plan documents.
• Assist in annual compliance filings including Form 5500, non-discrimination testing, and annual audits for ERISA plans with external audit.
• Coordinate with TPA on scheduling ongoing retirement educational sessions and workshops.
• Assist in compliance projects including the initiation of service requests, calculations and research.
• Partner with the Manager of Retirement Benefits & Physician Support on all communication needs and Financial Well-being strategies and initiatives.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance or Business or related field preferred or equivalent experience; AND
• 3-5 years of experience in HR/benefits management and project management
• Demonstrated project management and process improvement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively establish and maintain working relationships with peers and constituents at all levels of the organization.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel, specifically pivot tables and VLOOKUP’s.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Power Point.
• Demonstrated analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational, time management and prioritization skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle difficult, sensitive and confidential issues.
• Ability to travel to various sites as needed.

Preferred:

• Experience in the healthcare industry preferred.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.