Maria Cahill

• Developed tailored health insurance solutions aligning with client needs and regulatory requirements.
• Managed multiple accounts simultaneously while maintaining organization and prioritizing tasks efficiently.
• Advocated for patients' needs, ensuring access to necessary resources and services.
• Educated clients and families on community resources, treatment options and health care services to better manage conditions.
• Developed strong rapport with patients and families through empathetic listening and compassionate communication techniques.
• Established and maintained relationships with clients, families and community partners to coordinate services to meet client's needs.
• Communicated with insurance carriers to facilitate continuity of care.
• Collaborated with underwriters to develop competitive pricing strategies for new and existing accounts.
• Assisted clients with claims processes, guiding them through each step while advocating on their behalf with insurance carriers.
• Developed strong relationships with clients, resulting in a high level of trust and repeat business.
• Administered employee health, dental, FSA, and disability benefits and worked with broker to research and recommend options and oversee open enrollment.
• Coordinated annual open enrollment activities; communicated changes/updates regarding benefit offerings.
• Served as a liaison between clients and insurance carriers during annual open enrollment periods, ensuring timely and accurate policy updates.
• Cultivated strong client relationships to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Provided exceptional customer service, addressing client concerns promptly and effectively to ensure long-term loyalty.
• Negotiated contracts successfully, securing favorable terms for both the company and clients.
• Conducted regular check-ins with existing clients to assess their needs and identify upselling opportunities.

Core Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Served as the District's primary point of contact and resource for all employee benefits, providing expert guidance and support to approximately 1,200 benefit-eligible employees and retirees.
• Strategically planned and executed district-wide enrollment meetings, collaborating with each school to ensure seamless and accurate enrollment for all employees and retirees.
• Ensured organizational compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by staying abreast of and implementing all relevant rules and regulations.
• Maintained meticulous records of employee benefits enrollments and changes, facilitating seamless auditing and accurate reporting.
• Effectively resolved employee benefits-related issues, serving as a trusted liaison between employees and insurance providers.
• Successfully coordinated and executed annual open enrollment periods, enabling employees to make informed decisions regarding their benefits coverage.
• Collaborated closely with third-party administrators (TPAs) and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to manage health insurance plans and ensure optimal service delivery, including working together to identify cost-effective drugs sourced internationally for employees.
• Demonstrated expertise in state and federal benefit laws, including comprehensive COBRA administration.
• Managed the onboarding process for new hires, seamlessly enrolling them into appropriate benefit plans.
• Proactively resolved employee complaints related to benefits issues, billing errors, ensuring timely and satisfactory resolutions.
• Provided expert assistance to employees with benefits enrollment and changes, offering clear guidance on plan options, cost savings, and their implications.
• Filed and investigated workers' compensation claims, ensuring proper procedures and timely resolution.

Highlighting Results-Driven Approach:

• Consistently delivered results as a results-driven Employee Benefits Specialist, demonstrating a proven track record in optimizing benefits programs.
• Leveraged expertise in healthcare education and comprehensive benefits management to enhance employee understanding and satisfaction of their benefits.
• Implemented process improvements to streamline enrollment and benefits administration, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced errors.
• Set utilization goals and implemented processes to achieve them, driving measurable improvements in benefits program effectiveness.

Administrative & Onboarding:

• Orchestrated appointment scheduling and provided exceptional front-line support, greeting and assisting walk-in employees with professionalism and efficiency.
• Ensured district credentialing and employment eligibility compliance by conducting fingerprinting for new applicants, managing confidential BCI reports and rapbacks, and submitting I-9s and E-Verify documentation.
• Streamlined onboarding for new hires, providing comprehensive information on district practices and job details, fostering a positive initial experience.
• Facilitated efficient communication by responding to inquiries from internal and external stakeholders, including URS, IFAS, TalentEd, and applicants.

Records Management & Compliance:

• Maintained meticulous manual and electronic records, including VOE, loan forgiveness, verification of service years, and personal records, ensuring compliance with administrative and legal requirements.
• Prepared and compiled legal documentation, including witness statements, photos, and other required materials, supporting the district's legal team.
• Recorded and updated critical HR data, including new hires, transfers, terminations, job classifications, and merit increases, ensuring accuracy in main HR files.

Operational Efficiency & Support:

• Increased office efficiency by modernizing document organization systems and implementing effective solutions.
• Assisted Human Resource Director with personnel with daily tasks, providing critical support to ensure smooth office operations.
• Interacted effectively with vendors, contractors, and professional services personnel, managing orders and communicating instructions.
• Assisted with meetings and presentations, contributing to successful internal communications.

Recruitment & Hiring:

• Recruited and screened qualified potential employees, identifying top talent for vacant positions.
• Proactively expanded recruitment reach by attending job fairs and college events to attract qualified student teachers and teachers.
• Developed and managed student teacher placement schedules, ensuring effective integration within district schools.

Significantly improved employee retention processes, contributing to a more stable and engaged workforce.

Financial Management & Accounting:

• Maintained meticulous financial records, balancing all bank accounts and generating accurate reports for audits, ensuring compliance and smooth audit processes.
• Streamlined procurement processes by creating preauthorization and purchase orders, securing proper approvals, and tracking receipts.
• Managed and balanced multiple departmental funds, including CTE, Land Trust, Title I, and Title II, adhering to strict approval processes.
• Generated invoices and tracked collection progress, ensuring timely revenue collection.
• Reviewed general ledger for accuracy and coding issues, ensuring financial integrity.
• Prepared documentation for travel reimbursement and corporate credit card expenses, ensuring accurate expense tracking.

Administrative & Operational Efficiency:

• Streamlined bookkeeping procedures to increase efficiency and productivity.
• Computerized recordkeeping systems, initiating and maintaining accurate financial tracking in KEV and Alio.
• Managed and responded to correspondence and inquiries from customers and vendors, maintaining professional communication.
• Ordered and distributed supplies for multiple departments, ensuring efficient resource management.
• Collaborated effectively as part of a team with the head secretary, attendance secretary, principal, and assistant principals.

• Enhanced revenue collections through the development and implementation of targeted insurance education and scripting for staff.
• Empowered associates to navigate complex healthcare systems by creating comprehensive documentation, quick guides, and training materials for iCentra, PowerChart, and Web Collect.
• Improved patient financial experiences by providing clear and concise insurance information and assisting with billing inquiries.

Employee Training & Engagement:

• Developed and delivered a comprehensive New Hire Orientation training program, fostering a positive and informative onboarding experience.
• Facilitated staff certification testing, documentation, and continuing education requirements, promoting professional development and ensuring compliance.
• Boosted employee proficiency and confidence in utilizing healthcare technology through targeted training and support.
• Proactively supported staff in understanding and utilizing healthcare applications, contributing to improved patient care and operational efficiency.

Administrative & Operational Excellence:

• Performed efficient clerical and phone functions, ensuring smooth communication and administrative support.
• Demonstrated exceptional self-driven work ethic, consistently delivering high-quality results independently.
• Worked efficiently and effectively autonomously, showcasing strong organizational and time management skills.

Implementation & Process Improvement:

• Played a key role on the iCentra reports implementation team, establishing strong departmental relationships and developing standardized processes for efficient reporting.
• Designed and implemented workflow processes for learning and working medical reports and iCentra worklists, streamlining operations.
• Proactively tracked and analyzed user errors, collaborating with clinical departments to resolve workflow and process issues and minimize future errors.
• Researched and resolved complex account discrepancies, including errors, past-due discharges/arrivals, Medicare and MSP follow-ups, DNFB, and COB worklists.
• Enhanced registration accuracy by ensuring patients were fully and correctly registered in a timely manner using iCentra.

Patient Financial Services & Registration:

• Conducted daily patient calls to update insurance information and ensure accurate billing.
• Determined insurance verification to correct user and/or system errors, improving revenue cycle management.
• Verified patient demographics, insurance information, and processed payments through Web Collect, ensuring accurate patient data.

Training, Mentorship, & Compliance:

• Mentored and trained new employees on proper registration processes, on administrative procedures, company policies, and performance standards, contributing to a well-trained workforce ensuring consistent adherence to standards.
• Educated frontline staff on registration processes, utilizing PowerChart and RevCycle daily to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Maintained patient confidentiality HIPPA, and provide a warm, healing environment, prioritizing patient comfort and privacy.

Operational Efficiency & Support:

• Proactively engaged with departments to address registration process concerns, fostering a collaborative problem-solving environment and building strong working relationships.
• Drove process improvements by analyzing performance metrics and implementing strategic solutions to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Data Management & Reporting:

• Meticulously tracked and recorded student progress, ensuring accurate and timely data entry.
• Maintained comprehensive and accurate student data records, managing 100+ student files with precision and attention to detail.
• Compiled and disseminated accurate quarterly progress reports, providing the district with valuable insights into student performance.

Volunteer Coordination & Scheduling:

• Successfully recruited and onboarded 30 volunteers for the reading program, expanding program reach and impact.

Developed and managed a comprehensive volunteer schedule, ensuring consistent and reliable support for classroom activities.

Business Ownership & Management:

• Successfully operated and managed a home-based preschool business for three years, demonstrating entrepreneurial drive and commitment.
• Managed all financial aspects of the business, including monthly billing, accurate record-keeping, and income/expense accounting.
• Prepared and submitted comprehensive tax statements, ensuring compliance with all financial regulations.
• Procured and managed all business supplies, optimizing resources and controlling costs.

Educational Leadership & Curriculum Development:

• Developed and implemented age-appropriate educational curriculum and daily schedules, aligning with preschool learning goals.
• Delivered engaging and effective preschool instruction, fostering a positive and enriching learning environment.
• Observed, assessed, and documented children's progress, maintaining detailed observation notes for regular parent communication.
• Kept accurate records of children's developmental milestones, providing a comprehensive view of their progress.