Senior Policy Analyst - Washington Health Plan Finder

Description:

SUMMARY

The Senior Policy Analyst is responsible for the development and analysis of a broad range of policy issues for consideration by the Exchange Board, Executive Leadership Team, and Policy Team, including efforts to expand access to affordable health insurance to Washington residents. The Senior Policy Analyst manages, facilitates, and conducts policy and technical review of Exchange options to shape and respond to statutory direction. The Senior Policy Analyst will use independent judgment and often work with external stakeholders and in inter-departmental teams to prepare policy options and recommendations critical to meet objectives and goals and advance quality health coverage and improve Washington Healthplanfinder design. Based on research, data, discussion with state-based marketplaces and other stakeholders, and knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Senior Policy Analyst will analyze state and federal health policy issues and respond to policy related questions from internal and external audiences.

To meet the Exchange’s mission, and objectives of leadership, the Senior Policy Analyst generates innovative ideas. The Senior Policy Analyst will work with the Exchange’s agency partners and external stakeholders on issues related to the qualified health and dental plans (QHPs and QDPs) offered through the Exchange, performing analysis and offering insight regarding individual market dynamics and their impact on the Exchange and Washington consumers. The position maintains key relationships with national health policy organizations and provides advice in the preparation of policy options or amendment of policies and staff recommendations to the Exchange Board and Executive Leadership Team.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Research, review and evaluate legislation and policies.  Identify benefits and drawbacks of existing policies or options, and develop recommendations based on agreed objectives or principles that improve the value and performance of the Exchange’s marketplace for consumers.

•    Coordinate and/or support policy development and implementation for subsidized and unsubsidized individual market Exchange consumers, including analysis of issues related to affordability, benefit design, program eligibility, and premium rating.

•    Support implementation of federal and Washington-specific subsidy programs, including ongoing analysis of eligibility criteria and subsidy amounts, as well as tracking and reporting related to subsidy programs and any received federal waivers.

•    Coordinate, lead and/or participate in health policy and program development.  Ensure alignment on objectives and goals, analyze and compile data and research, and use an equity lens to advise Executive Leadership and/or Board.   Identify or define process and key decisions to ensure effective and informed communication.

•    Coordinate with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), state agency partners, actuaries, and other outside consultants, as needed, on development and implementation of exchange policy initiatives.

•    Participate in the annual plan certification process, including the annual publication of guidelines for carriers participating in the Exchange, review of carrier plan certification submissions, and presentation of plans to the Exchange Board for certification.

•    Participate in the Policy Team’s analysis of plan designs, benefits, rates, and data elements used to understand market trends and consumer behavior and inform display of plan information in Washington Healthplanfinder. 

•    As needed, work with the other departments to provide the policy perspective necessary for effective implementation of decisions by the Board or the Exchange Executive Leadership Team.  

•    Analyze and provide guidance to internal and external audiences on Exchange eligibility rules and policy issues.

•    Serve as liaison between the Exchange and other state-based exchanges on a range of policy issues, including individual insurance marketplace and carrier issues. 

•    Monitor, review, interpret and advise the Exchange regarding the implementation of federal regulatory guidance.

•    Analyze and communicate complex information effectively to diverse audiences, verbally and in writing.

•    Draft policy papers, briefs, and reports on Exchange policy issues, incorporating Exchange data as appropriate.

•    Bill analysis, legislative research, and tracking bills associated with the Exchange.

•    Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 

•    Master’s degree in a health policy-related field. 

o    Note: Years of experience may substitute year for year for graduate-level education. 

•    Three years of progressively more responsibility in health coverage policy and program development, including appropriate use of policy analysis, regulation interpretation, research, and data to formulate and advise decision-making, issue resolution and policy development. 

•    Three years of strong and proven skills in managing multiple, diverse, complex projects; collaborating with peers; staying within scope, schedule, and resources; developing clear and aligned project objectives and plans; balancing multiple priorities; communicating progress in written or oral form to executives, policy makers, media, and key partners and stakeholders, including proactive identification, communication, and contingency planning when project conflicts arise. 

•    Three years of experience with diverse stakeholder management, including facilitation of multiple stakeholders towards consensus or common understanding (if not agreement), preparing, and making presentations, and otherwise engaging key partners and stakeholders. 

•    Experience in managing budgets, contracts, timelines, and projects, and coordination and motivation of diverse resources to quickly resolve critical health policy issues.

•    Understanding of the ACA and health insurance plans and markets, with emphasis on the Washington individual market, and impacts on market dynamics of federal and state policy decisions.  

•    Understanding and incorporating mission and objectives of Exchange Board and Executive Leadership, and objectives or limitations of authorizing environment and stakeholders in issue development and policy analysis

•    Communication. Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills that translate and clarify policy analysis, issues, and objectives into responsive analytic products. Identify needs of customer/audience and present and tailor messages in a clear, concise, unambiguous, engaging, and convincing manner, understandable by technical and non-technical audiences.

•    Accountability. Enjoy focusing on results, be a highly creative, critical, and strategic thinker, and foster a collaborative setting. Be able to work both independently and collaboratively, with a willingness to proactively own the success of projects. Be highly organized, with an ability to work on multiple simultaneous projects and meet tight deadlines and have flexibility and resourcefulness during times of uncertainty and stress.

Desired: 

•    Experience working with a health insurance carrier or in the health insurance industry.

•    Demonstrated knowledge of health insurance plan benefit design. 

•    Broad knowledge and understanding of the health care industry, including the commercial insurance market and other health delivery systems, and addressing or otherwise managing issues of access, affordability, and quality health care. 

•    Knowledge of or experience in health equity.

•    Thorough knowledge and understanding of key components Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other applicable state or federal law, especially health insurance exchanges. 

•    Vast understanding of the federal and state rule-making process, interpretation of federal and state guidance and the ability to respond to regulation in a timely manner.