Apple Health and Homes Program Specialist (MPS2/DBHR)

This position contributes to the Apple Health (Medicaid) supportive housing benefit through contract and program management functions. These tasks include working with partners in the Department of Commerce and the FCS Third Party Administrator to support implementation, operation, enrollment, tracking, and reporting of the program. The ideal candidate will demonstrate flexibility and a strong understanding of data and reporting. If you are enthusiastic about contributing to the cutting edge work of developing this program that merges Medicaid services and housing, this may be the position for you!

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

Division philosophy statement:
The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) values and seeks diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral to the behavioral health field. We support, embrace, and celebrate everyone's uniqueness, promote inclusion, and commit to remove systemic barriers that affect our workforce, our providers, and the people that receive prevention, treatment, and/or recovery support services.

About the unit:
DBHR is part of a cross-agency, interdisciplinary team of policy, finance, community engagement, performance measurement, communications, and other specialists responsible for assuring the success of the Medicaid Transformation Project (MTP) demonstration, a five-year agreement between the state and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under a Section 1115 waiver. The MTP encompasses multiple initiatives, one of which Foundational Community Supports (FCS) undertakes to demonstrate the effectiveness of supportive housing and supported employment services in achieving whole-person health for Medicaid beneficiaries in need.

About the position:
Apple Health and Homes (AHAH) builds upon the FCS Supportive Housing (SH) services benefit by aligning rental assistance and capital funding for the development of permanent supportive housing (PSH) units to support individuals eligible for the FCS SH benefit. The FCS Apple Health and Homes Program Specialist role reports to the FCS Supervisor and supports the FCS Program Administrator with the program management and operations of the AHAH initiative.
Responsibilities include identification, monitoring, and resolution of program risks and issues; development and implementation of training and resource materials for partner agencies and contractors; development and implementation of a stakeholder engagement plan; management support of Third Party Administrator (TPA) contract activities related to AHAH coordination and collaboration with FCS Program Administrator around enrollment in FCS and AHAH; qualitative and quantitative research and analysis for the AHAH program design and evaluation; and analysis and development of applicable deferral and state policies and regulations.
This position is eligible to telework and is typically not required to report on-site. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions - both on-site and telework eligible positions - is within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA may choose, but is not required, to support out-of-state telework on a case-by-case basis.
Some of what you will do:

• Develop and implement Apple Health and Homes program policies and procedures, coordinating input from HCA, Department of Commerce, DSHS, and other internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Provide technical and consultative assistance to community FCS providers regarding AHAH enrollment and Medicaid billing and coding under FCS.
• Plan and develop training materials for staff of FCS AHAH service providers to ensure appropriate, accurate, and timely Medicaid billing and coding.
• Coordinate and develop policies, procedures, and content for FCS and AHAH provider manuals.
• Prepare and implement AHAH training and communication materials for partner agencies and community FCS providers.
• Participate in and provide data for quarterly AHAH advisory council; track issues related to Medicaid billing and coding, service reimbursement rates, and short- and long-term housing subsidies.
• Review, troubleshoot, and monitor the enrollment of AHAH participants in ProviderOne; track expenditures related to AHAH administration and services budget.
• Design reporting systems necessary to track AHAH program implementation; create and implement monitoring reports.
• Coordinate and track enrollment in and utilization of short-term housing resources by AHAH participants.
• Provide data and support to FCS Program Administrator on development and drafting of AHAH legislative report and fact sheets.
• Manage and track AHAH program deliverables, issues, and risks using project management software, including relevant items from partner agencies.
• Develop and distribute regular reports on deliverables and implementation progress.

Required qualifications:
Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria combinations:

• Master's degree with major study in public health, public administration, behavioral health, health administration, communications, business administration, social work, or closely allied field AND two years of supervisory or consultative experience in a health services program,
• Bachelor's degree in a field identified above AND four years of supervisory or consultative experience in a health services program, or
• One-year experience as a Medical Program Specialist 1.
  

Preferred qualifications:
Experience with:

• Intra and interagency coordination.
• Public or private health care delivery systems.
• Stakeholder identification/management and community engagement.
• State and Federal laws and regulations related to health care policy and purchasing, including Medicare and Medicaid.
• Management of budgets and external consulting resources.
• State budget and legislative processes.
• Management of databases or Customer Relationship Management systems, such as ProviderOne.

Knowledge of:

• State policies and regulations related to health care programs and health improvement initiatives.
• Principles and practices of program planning and evaluation.
• Current trends and economic problems relating to Health and health care costs, including state and national health care reform.
• Health organizations and associations at all levels.

Ability to:

• Embrace ambiguity and innovation, responding with initiative, creativity, and agility.
• Support a team-oriented approach that relies on the success and coordination of multiple teams over the success of one or more individual's contributions.
• Think at a systems level, including an understanding of how different programs, agencies and investments can best work toward a common goal.
• Collaborate with program staff, leadership, and other partners with a high level of political awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Analyze and resolve complex problems related to health care programs.
• Interpret and apply health data and information from a variety of sources to the solution of complex problems.
• Create and propose policy and other solutions in the absence of established protocols, models, or processes.
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in written form.
• Evaluate systems and provide qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Develop, implement, manage, and evaluate programs and contracts.

How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

About HCA:
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical Health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.
HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better Health and better care at a lower cost.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• Tuition reimbursement
• And free parking!

Notes:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.
HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at 360.725.0945 or jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov.

Employment Type: Project (limited duration)