Cristina Turnipseed
Colorado Springs
Summary
Seeking a position as a Benefits Coordinator with opportunity for professional and personal growth.
Personable Medical Support Assistant brings experience in balancing problematic administrative and clinical duties to achieve patient satisfaction. Proficient in Military Healthcare Electronic Records Thorough understanding of medical registration process and procedures to streamline client processing.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Benefits Coordinator
Directorate of Human Resources/MPD
09.2023 - Current
- Preparation of casualty financial claims in casualty to include development, examination, investigation, adjudication, or authorization of financial claims for casualty compensation to include Soldier and family member life insurance benefits ($100,000-$500,000), death gratuity compensation ($100,000), funeral and burial reimbursement, casualty travel authorizations and reimbursement, Survivor Benefit Program benefits (retiree and active), VA DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation), Unpaid Pay and Allowances, and Thrift Savings Plan.
- Counseling Soldiers and Survivors on various financial benefits. Ensure benefits were received and update appropriate databases. Trains Army leaders on potential financial benefits and the importance of properly naming beneficiaries. Work with benevolent organizations to seek financial assistance for families.
- Interpret regulations and policies around these benefits and prepare necessary paperwork and supporting documentation to submit to correct agency for formal determination.
- Explaining decisions to surviving family members to help them gain an understanding of claim determinations.
- Prepares claims for families from local, state, or federal programs.
- Reviews documents and/or receipts from various sources to determine if documents are incomplete or if additional information is needed to efficiently file claims for casualty or travel reimbursement.
- Expedited benefit delivery by establishing working relationships with benefit providers.
Contact Representative
U.S. Army Fort Carson, CO - Central Referral Center
03.2022 - 08.2023
- Verifies eligibility of beneficiary researching DEERS enrollment
- Reviews each referral to verify beneficiary is being deferred to correct specialty provider
- Continuously checks referrals for provisional diagnosis, and confirms diagnosis matches specialty requested
- Confirms HCDP code for beneficiary is validated and correct in order to process referral without error
- Tracks all Accepted ROFRS from MCSC
- Closes ROFR within 3 business days of patient being seen with a 90% success rate
- Track mandatory training requirements for the entire unit on a weekly basis
- Coordinates with market Chief Medical Management by improving current reports and/or any necessary data the market requires to track and identify any problems issues within the network for health care beneficiaries when seeking medical treatment outside of business.
- Managed incoming calls and inquiries, providing accurate information to service members and families.
- Coordinated referrals to appropriate services, ensuring timely support for service member needs.
Medical Support Assistant
U.S. Army Fort Carson, CO Army Wellness Center-Occupational Therapy Clinic
01.2012 - 03.2022
- Performs a variety of receptionist and other clerical and administrative functions, using judgment to answer recurring questions and resolves problems
- Assisted patients with scheduling appointments and managing care plans.
- Responded to written, telephonic, and 'walk-in' inquiries in a timely manner.
- Supported rehabilitation programs by preparing materials and assisting in therapy sessions.
- Coordinated communication between medical staff and patients to ensure clarity in treatment protocols.
- Manages the eligibility program to ensure services are provided to eligible beneficiaries by utilizing the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
- Dispenses information to the public on rights, benefits, privileges, or obligations under a body of law; explaining pertinent legal provisions, regulations, and related administrative practices, and their application to specific cases.
- Assists individuals in developing needed evidence and preparing required documents, or in resolving errors, delays, or other problems in obtaining benefits or fulfilling obligations.
- Provides system capabilities to support the above functions.
- Contact Representative in the Consult Center and responds to a variety of personal and telephone inquiries. Receives, investigates, processes and provides feedback on telephonic or walk-in inquiries concerning medical care provided to MHS beneficiaries through civilian health care facilities or providers.
- Conducts personal or telephonic interviews to establish eligibility and identify the source of the issue; telephonically contact pertinent healthcare; and collects and maintains documentation to consulting providers related to consults, referrals, authorizations, claims, or other health service issues.
- Establishes and maintains automated or standard office files in support of operations. Utilizes GENESIS database to verify member's eligibility and annotates Social Security number and assigned Primary Care Manager on every consult result received.
- Verifies eligibility, enrollment status, consultations (in-house and civilian care), and Primary Care concerns.
Receptionist Clerk
Chefs Catalog
04.2010 - 07.2010
- Directed clients to appropriate personnel to address concerns, resolve complaints or answer account-related questions.
- Managed multi-line phone system, directing calls to appropriate departments efficiently.
- Greeted and assisted customers, ensuring positive first impressions and effective communication.
- Maintained daily calendars, set appointments with clients and planned daily office events.
- Scheduled and confirmed appointments.
- Oversaw office inventory by restocking supplies and submitting purchase orders.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Mannheim Elementary School
03.2008 - 09.2009
- Developed and maintained positive communication with co-workers, students and families.
- Collaborated with educators to implement effective teaching strategies for diverse learning needs.
- Supported students with disabilities in daily classroom activities and individual learning plans.
- Affirmatively communicated and promoted positive attitudes with every student.
- Assist main classroom teachers, specialist and special education teachers with implementing the curriculum to the students.
- Communicate with classroom teacher on a daily basis to organize classroom instruction and duties.
Motor Transport Operator
U.S. Army
07.2004 - 06.2007
- Maintained the safety and security of cargo, personnel and equipment in the convoy.
- Operated and maintained military vehicles to ensure readiness and safety during missions.
- Conducted pre-trip inspections to assess vehicle conditions, identifying potential maintenance issues.
- Maintained current skill set to perform tactical planning and defensive strategies.
- Completed routine inspections and daily preventive maintenance services.
- Inspected all vehicles for any damage and made sure it was properly cleaned and maintained.
- Managed loading, transportation and unloading of over $five-million dollars of cargo while deployed to Iraq.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Walden University
Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Education
Ashworth College
Skills
- HIPAA compliance
- Communicating with patient/family members
- Patient scheduling
- Customer Service
- Data entry
- Insurance eligibility verification
- Multi-line phone systems
- Prioritizing patients
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Staff motivation
- Benefits administration
- Teamwork and collaboration
Certification
- DMHRSi Initial User Course (FY21) Class 211
- Administrative Medical Assisting Program
Timeline
Benefits Coordinator
Directorate of Human Resources/MPD
09.2023 - Current
Contact Representative
U.S. Army Fort Carson, CO - Central Referral Center
03.2022 - 08.2023
Medical Support Assistant
U.S. Army Fort Carson, CO Army Wellness Center-Occupational Therapy Clinic
01.2012 - 03.2022
Receptionist Clerk
Chefs Catalog
04.2010 - 07.2010
Special Education Paraprofessional
Mannheim Elementary School
03.2008 - 09.2009
Motor Transport Operator
U.S. Army
07.2004 - 06.2007
Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Education
Ashworth College
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Walden University