• Investigate disability claims use phone and written contact with claimant, employer, physicians to gather pertinent data to analyze the claim and make an independent decision on the appropriate handling of claim.• Apply knowledge of claimant circumstances and likely diagnosis outcomes based on industry diagnosis guidelines.• Ensure accurate claim payments (value and length) in support of claimant’s disability to avoid overpayment of claim.• Determine when and how to utilize internal and external referrals to make appropriate claim decisions including functional capacity assessments, job analysis, chart reviews, peer consults, and surveillance. Use analytical skills in determining when to spend money on proper vendor utilization.• Establish appropriate action plans for ongoing management of short term disability claims and set the appropriate follow up time frame for handling claims.• Establish working relationships with external customers by providing instructions on claim filing policies and procedures as well as assist with other claim related issues. • Participate in formal Appeals Committee related to our claims and participate with legal division on any of our claims that move to litigation stage.• Independently achieve and sustain departmental performance standards related to returning customer calls within 24 hours of receiving such request, completing file reviews/decision making within established departmental timeliness goals, achieving and sustaining departmental goals related to claim best practices. • Offer mentoring and coaching skills in support of staff growth.• Participate in special projects assigned by manager.• Attend meetings and seminars to maintain expert knowledge.• Continuous Process Improvement – Recommend application improvements, offer suggestions for improving team and department communication.