Underwriter III

Workforce Classification:

Join Our Team: Do Meaningful Work and Improve People’s Lives

Our purpose, to improve customers’ lives by making healthcare work better, is far from ordinary. And so are our employees. Working at Premera means you have the opportunity to drive real change by transforming healthcare.

Premera is committed to being a workplace where people feel empowered to grow, innovate, and lead with purpose. By investing in our employees and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous development, we’re able to better serve our customers. It’s this commitment that has earned us recognition as one of the best companies to work for. Learn more about our recent awards and recognitions as a greatest workplace.

Learn how Premera supports our members, customers and the communities that we serve through our Healthsource blog: https://healthsource.premera.com/.

As an Underwriter III, you will support Premera’s corporate financial and membership goals by evaluating and selecting risk using internal and external data and data sources. This role offers the opportunity to acquire a specialized skill set, continued career growth, and a collaborative work environment.

This is a remote/telecommuter position, working from home.

What you’ll do:

• Evaluate, develop rates, and accept or reject risk, after examining appropriate information required to underwrite proposals and renewals. Work will include groups and self-funding clients of all sizes and complexities including associations and national accounts.

• Use independent judgment or judgment with appropriate level of peer/manager review to evaluate system-generated rate calculations for reasonability of the risk.

• Mastery of alternative funding arrangements and alternate benefit packages, to proactively suggest solutions and determine anticipated risk impact.

• Proactively suggest alternative options as necessary and develop final rates for benefit offerings.

• Develop and present materials to internal and external customers. Proactively and professionally consult with customers to deliver underwriting value-added services in managing the business.

• Verify sold group information for new and existing business.

• Develop and prepare federal and state reporting documents.

• Utilize applications to support the rating and underwriting process, including but not limited to systems, claims reporting, and reporting databases.

• Develop and enforce underwriting guidelines and rules, and administrative rules under which Premera will accept a risk under direction and approval by management.

• Monitor and direct activities on case specific issues and/or projects.

• Test system(s), update procedures before and after implementation, and troubleshoot/test errors/update with others.

• Recommend solutions to improve documents and procedures/processes for various rating and other systems.

• Utilize systems including Optum, Siebel, and Trizetto platforms to transmit and extract data.

• Train all level underwriting associates on policy and procedure.

• Train non-underwriting departments of underwriting policy and procedure.

• As an underwriting subject matter expert, represent and advocate the Underwriting department both internally and externally.

• Consult with senior leadership in managing the business and on special projects.

• Provide leadership and mentoring to less experienced underwriters.

What you’ll bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Mathematics, or related field of study, or (4) years of related work experience.

• (5) years of health insurance underwriting experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Excel skills and intermediate Access skills.

• Mastery of alternate funding arrangements and underwriting policies and procedures.

• CEBS, HIAA, CLU, CHC, or FLMI designations and/or state insurance license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• In-depth knowledge of mathematical principles used in underwriting function.

• Strong research, analytical, and decision-making skills.

• Advanced knowledge of healthcare benefits and programs.

• Ability to document procedures and processes.

• Ability to develop and present materials to internal and external customers.

• Ability to process information using rating, pricing, and data gathering programs.

• Ability to create ad hoc reports using spreadsheet and database applications, as well as third party software applications as required.

• Strong problem-solving capabilities.

• Strong data mining capabilities.

Physical Requirements

The following have been identified as essential physical requirements of this job and must be performed with or without an accommodation:

• This is primarily a sedentary role which requires the ability to exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

• This role requires the ability to keyboard and to communicate clearly and understandably in person and over the telephone.

Premera total rewards

Our comprehensive total rewards package provides support, resources, and opportunities to help employees thrive and grow. Our total rewards are more than a collection of perks, they're a reflection of our commitment to your health and well-being. We offer a broad array of rewards including physical, financial, emotional, and community benefits, including:

• Medical, vision, and dental coverage with low employee premiums.

• Voluntary benefit offerings, including pet insurance for paw parents.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Retirement programs, including a 401K employer match and, believe it or not, a pension plan that is vested after 3 years of service.

• Wellness incentives with a wide range of mental well-being resources for you and your dependents, including counseling services, stress management programs, and mindfulness programs, just to name a few.

• Generous paid time off to reenergize.

• Looking for continuing education? We have tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

• Employee recognition program to celebrate anniversaries, team accomplishments, and more.

For our hybrid employees, our on-campus model provides flexibility to create your own routine with access to on-site resources, networking opportunities, and team engagement.

• Commuter perks make your trip to work less impactful on the environment and your wallet.

• Free convenient on-site parking.

• Subsidized on-campus cafes make lunchtime connections with colleagues fun and affordable.

• Participate in engaging on-site activities such as health and wellness events, coffee connects, disaster preparedness fairs and more.

• Our complementary fitness & well-being center offers both in-person and virtual workouts and nutritional counseling.

• Need a brain break? Challenge someone to a game of shuffleboard or ping pong while on campus.

Equal employment opportunity/affirmative action:

Premera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Premera seeks to attract and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

If you need an accommodation to apply online for positions at Premera, please contact Premera Human Resources via email at careers@premera.com or via phone at 425-918-4785.

Premera is hiring in the following states, with some limitations based on role or city: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.

The pay for this role will vary based on a range of factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s geographic location, market conditions, and specific skills and experience.

The salary range for this role is posted below; we generally target up to and around the midpoint of the range.

National Salary Range:

National Plus Salary Range:

*National Plus salary range is used in higher cost of labor markets including Western Washington and Alaska.

We’re happy to discuss compensation further during the interview because we believe that open communication leads to better outcomes for all. We’re committed to creating an environment where all employees are celebrated for their unique skills and contributions.