Health Insurance Customer Service Job Description
Health insurance companies offer toll-free numbers to answer questions from subscribers who have questions about issues like coverage, claims denials and out-of-pocket expenses. Customer service representatives handle these inquiries for health insurance companies.
Function
Health insurance customer service representatives answer phone calls and use computers to find the answers to clients' inquiries. Some health insurance companies also require customer service representatives to handle online inquiries from customers, such as emails.
Environment
The call centers in which customer service representatives work are typically loud, busy places with many representatives talking at one time and calls coming in continuously. Because representatives often handle complaints and angry customers, their work may become stressful or emotionally draining.
Requirements
Success as a representative requires empathy, problem-solving skills and multi-tasking ability. Typing skills and the ability to learn and use software programs such as databases and email are also necessary for work in this field.
Education and Experience
While a high school diploma or GED is the typical education requirement for all customer service jobs, health insurance companies may look for representatives with an associate's or bachelor's degree in computer science, English or business. Previous experience working with health insurance is also attractive to employers.
Compensation
As of December 2009, health insurance customer service representatives averaged annual salaries of $43,000, according to Indeed.com.
