Claims AdministratorRisk Management | Williamsville, NY, United States
This position provides administrative support to the Risk Management Analyst and Department Manager with the administration of personal injury and illness claims for merchant seamen employed aboard the company’s fleet of Great Lakes cargo vessels.
The company operates eighteen U.S. Flag Great Lakes self-unloading dry bulk cargo vessels and employs a total of 430 merchant seamen. This position assists personnel in the department to provide timely and appropriate medical services to marine employees who suffer injuries and illnesses during the course of their employment with the company. This position also assists in the defense of suits filed against the company by employee claimants.
This position interacts with: marine employees who suffer work related injuries or illnesses; senior vessel officers; Operations and Accounting Department personnel; internal and external auditors; attorneys from the GATX Corporation Legal Department and appointed outside counsel, claims adjusters from insurance underwriters; medical providers, such as hospital emergency room physicians, therapists, and staff at outpatient clinics; contracted case managers, medical review officers and medical invoice auditors; union medical plans; and travel agencies.
This position is responsible for maintaining claims files and must be able to work independently in obtaining the required documentation from vessel officers and medical providers to support requests for medical services. This position must be able to supply copies of documentation when requested by various parties, which will require the individual to be familiar with the company’s files in the Operations, Human Resources and Accounting Departments.
There will be training provided by the company in the: duties of vessel owners and operators under the Jones Act, General Maritime Law, the doctrine of Maintenance and Cure, and, to a limited extent, the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers Act along with the contractual obligations under the union collective bargaining agreements as they relate to the benefits provided to marine employees that suffer injuries and illnesses during the course of their employment with the Company. Training will also be provided in the company’s insurance and marine personnel databases.
This position provides support to the Human Resources Department on an ad hoc basis, with particular emphasis in providing administrative support to the company’s medical monitoring program, which would include maintaining medical files for marine employees.
This position has the authority to approve travel expenses.
Must be available for regular office hours and overtime when required on an occasional basis.
There are no direct reports to this position.
Responsibilities:

• Assists in general administration of claims by:


• preparing and maintaining claims files by obtaining reports of injury/illness from vessels


• medical reports from medical providers and claimants


• maintaining insurance and marine personnel databases


• taking telephone calls from vessels, claimants, medical providers and attorneys


• notifies appropriate office staff of claims when they occur


• Resolves minor claims issues.


• Reviews invoices from medical providers for accuracy and completeness ensuring that medical reports are included when necessary.


• Coordinates payment of medical invoices with medical providers and union medical plans, contracted medical auditors, and contracted case managers.


• Prepares claims for recovery from underwriters or union medical plans and monitor recoveries.


• Provides information and documentation requested by internal and external auditors, outside company counsel and various departments in the company.


• Assist with the preparation of Answers to Interrogatories and copies of documentation requested by outside company counsel.


• Prepares month-end close to balance insurance system with the general ledger.



• Provide administrative support to the department as directed by supervisor or department manager, including filing and making copies.Key Competencies:




• Must be customer oriented, tactful, a problem solver, possess flexibility and negotiating skills.



• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.


• Excellent verbal and written communications skills and organizational skills.


• Managing tasks and able to handle pressure of deadlines and changing priorities.


• Attention to detail and proofreading.AA/EEO Employer

<<