Richard Armstrong

Location
chicago, IL (US)
Work Category
Insurance
Interests
Business partnerships, Job opportunities, References, Ways to stay in touch
Currently working on...
Since early May I have taken a temporary assignment with Allianz I'm very excited for the opportunity and have been learning their software and working on reconciling their engineering fee account.

About Me

I'm looking for a great job which cultivates a warm, growth related, corporate culture. I consider myself a self reliant, problem solver, a quick study, go getter and team player. One of my strongest attributes has been the ability to identify and resolve procedural and technical issues, saving time and improving accuracy. Every challenge that I have encountered such as special assignments and projects, have been used as learning tools. This has allowed me to take on and successfully complete many projects in the business world. This includes streamlining business flows and sitting down with IT teams to enhance software, processes and functionalities.

As a trainer I was cross-trained with other members of my team on topics such as the logic behind claims processing and have actually processed live claims in the WellPoint environment. I have been trained in Kaset and Fish philosophies, so my customer service skills are very strong. I’ve been taught how to analyze, report and problem solve by some of the best managers and directors in the business. My longevity with my employers, and assignment to special task teams is a testament to my dedication and work ethic. I believe that there is something to be said about experience which I look at as hardcore job training... the lessons may be difficult at first, but they are never forgotten. Once learned, these types of lessons teach you how to think and recognize potential problems in the future. I believe in including the "why" whenever possible when training. The reason is because I’ve found that if procedural or technological changes are made, you still would know what actually needs to occur behind the scenes, this is crucial when it comes to computer conversions.

My outside interest include, reading, cooking, listening to jazz music, oil painting and poetry. One of my most rewarding jobs has been as a corporate trainer... the reason. I love to see a persons face when they have that "Ahhhh haaaa!" moment, realizing their self worth has just increased.

Work Experience

  • Jun 2003 - Sep 2007
    chicago, IL (US)
    Billing and Enrollment specialist
    Unicare Health Plans
    In this position I processed incoming and outgoing bills, applied premiums for group health insurance plan. The primary function of this job, reconciling membership to premium payment, resolving enrollment issues that impacted premiums received or caused claims issues, identify and detail any and all outstanding balances, and take appropriate actions including terminations, additions and deletions, as well as identifying bill related system issues. I was also responsible for reviewing aging reports and resolved collections and premium delinquencies, as well as auditing work done by overseas training classes.

    I also utilized two department spreadsheets of my own design. One tracked the outstanding balances on a monthly basis. This became the standard to be used when doing member to member reconciliations. The second sheet was used when invoices were voided but had already been sent to and paid by the client. This sheet compared downloaded bill data, between the two invoices.
  • Nov 1999 - Dec 2002
    chicago, IL (US)
    Operations Performance Development Trainer
    Wellpoint
    Successfully trained groups, 02 – 16, on system hierarchy, products, group set-up and installation, membership maintenance, billing functionality and broker inquiry on the Wellpoint WGS system.

    Solely responsible for training and measuring existing Enrollment/Billing staff on IDX to WGS system conversion as well as new hires within the membership and billing department on all aspects of membership maintenance, billing and receivables, group set-up and physician inquiry.

    Received impact awards for Excel spreadsheet design which facilitated the identification of pursuable balances and outstanding departmental support.

    Sent to California as member of the IDX to WGS conversion team.

    Originally hired under Rush Prudential Healthcare as Systems Trainer for IDX system usage, Outlook, MSWord, Excel, Inquiry Tracking and usage of AT&T 8400 and 8410 telephones with Octal phone system.
  • Jul 1989 - Nov 1999
    chicago, IL (US)
    Trainer/Enrollment Lead/Accounts receivable specialists
    United Healthcare
    Responsible for training Customer Service staff on Products, phone etiquette, and claims inquiry on Cosmos and Q-Star systems.

    Successfully trained and certified PSS unit in customer relations with Medicare membership.

    Special projects included the training of medical team of physicians as well as International Falls staff in system navigation, claims inquiry and membership maintenance on UHC system.

    Lead for Government Programs and Commercial Enrollment:
    Supervised staff of 3 on the enrollment and maintenance of Medicaid and Medicare membership and billing. Oversaw and trained staff on of the pilot program for Medicare healthcare recipients and monthly reply reports. Successfully handled 3 HCFA audits.

    Lead for the processing of all Commercial enrollment and billing prior to being asked to take responsibility for new Government Programs department.
  • Jun 1988 - Sep 1989
    chicago, IL (US)
    Accounts receivable Supervisor
    BCS Insurance Co.
    Managed deposits and cash application by staff of 4 employees.
    Oversaw group reconciliation process and monthly reports to finance area. Met bi-weekly, daily and monthly deadlines.
  • May 1982 - Jun 1988
    chicago, IL (US)
    Payroll Clerk/Reconciliation specialist/Cash batch clerk
    The Signature Group
    Originally hired as Cash Batch Clerk, promoted to reconciliaion specialist for both house and bank accounts.
    Promoted to Payroll clerk where I processed managment payroll.

Education

  • 1977 - present
    Other
    Independent Studies
    I've done quite a bit of independent studies such as taking classes in Printing, Graphic design, key-line paste up, law enforcment and the community, electronics, Art (American Academy of Art and the Art Institute). I'm an avid reader. I've read many books on leadership, training, positive and new age thinking, as well as many books on spiritual practices and philosophy, and Eastern philosophy.
  • 1994 - 1995
    Other - Microcomputer Processing and software applications
    The Computer Learning Center
    Certificate of completion in:
    PC software logic and applicaitons -
    Trained in Excel, MS Word, Access Database, reporting and programming logic in G.W. Basic.
  • 1976 - 1977
    Other - Undeclared
    Eastern Illinois University
    Completed courses in Psychology, Oil Painting, College Algebra, English, Printing etc.
  • 1975 - 1976
    Other - General Studies, undeclared Art Major
    Kennedy King Jr. College
    General courses taken, such as Speech, Broadcasting, Biology 101, Figure drawing ect.
  • 1972 - 1975
    Other - Math and Accounting
    De La Salle Institute
    Graduated with honors courses in Math (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra-Trig, Pre Calculus and accounting.)