Find Retiree Benefits Analyst (MA5|ERB) Job in Olympia, Washington | Snaprecruit

Description

Join our team as a Retiree Benefits Analyst and play a pivotal role in promoting healthier outcomes for Washingtonians. You'll engage with retirees and help them understand the benefits available to them through Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) program, as well as coordinate advocacy efforts, manage contracts, influence HCA policy, and collaborate with various agency divisions on retiree benefits, including Medicare plans. This includes coordinating with the PEBB Customer Service staff to assist members with issues related to enrollment and coverage. Candidates with experience in Medicaid or health plan administration are encouraged to apply.

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.

About the division:
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery support to all Washington residents.

About the position:
This position supports the agency's strategies for implementing the Governors health care initiatives and promoting healthier outcomes for PEBB and SEBB program enrollees, with a focus on retirees, including those with and without Medicare. It aligns with the Governors policy objectives of ensuring healthy lives and access to quality care while providing attractive employee benefits. Reporting to the Fully Insured Team Manager, the role works directly with retirees and collaborates with various agency divisions on procurement and management of retiree benefits, including Medicare plans. This position also includes leading and participating in agency projects.

This position is eligible to telework but is occasionally required to report on-site or traveling events in order to meet business need. 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.

Duties

Some of what you will do:

• Coordinates with the Retiree Benefits Manager to identify policy needs, issues, and objectives. Proposes solutions, options, and courses of action to achieve policy objectives, especially in coordination with the Customer Service, Accounting, and Communications teams.
• Oversees implementation of policy decisions and reports progress and impairments to the Portfolio Management & Monitoring (PM&M) Section Manager.
• Works on SEBB and PEBB Programs benefit offerings, in collaboration with Benefit Strategy & Design staff and PM&M staff, including researching, drafting, and providing comparative analysis of the policy and product options, specifically related to retirees and Medicare.
• Provides subject matter expertise to the agency on federal rules pertaining to Medicare as they relate to the PEBB and SEBB Programs and their members, and particularly for retirees.
• Serves as a resource and advocate for retirees during Open Enrollment and throughout the year as issues arise.
• Prepares and/or assists in the preparation of policy and product documents for internal discussion, presentation to the SEB and/or PEB Board, and communication with stakeholders. Makes presentations on policy and product options to HCA management, SEB and/or PEB Board, and stakeholders.
• Actively engages with retirees and retiree groups to ensure HCA maintains current awareness of the needs of the retiree population and represents that awareness when coordinating with key stakeholders, including health plans, legislators or legislative staff. .
• Educates retirees about their benefits by providing workshops, webinars, communications materials and attending Open Enrollment events.
• Performs senior-level account management for multiple contracts that may include contracts for Medicare benefits (including classic Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Coordination of Benefits, and/or Medicare Advantage with Part D plans), and fully insured medical, dental, life, disability, pharmacy, and/or other insurance.
• Briefs executive management on benefits, services, and contract proposals recommended for consideration by the PEB or SEB Boards.
• Responds to day-to-day operational issues, makes decisions, and handles complaints and issues from members, stakeholders, legislators, and others. Cultivates relationships with vendors, stakeholders, and division staff.
• Oversees all operational aspects of assigned contracts.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

Option 1:
Bachelor's degree in a healthcare discipline, public health, public administration, business administration, or other health care field directly related to the work of health care benefits or health insurance administration and two (2) years of the required experience below

Option 2:
Six (6) years of the required experience below

The required experience includes:

• Experience with employer or health plan administration, health management programs
• Experience negotiating, administering, or managing health plan contracts

Preferred qualifications:

• Masters degree in business administration, public administration, public health, health administration, or a related field.
• Experience with retiree benefits, including Medicare and non-Medicare retiree benefits.
• Experience with and specialized knowledge of Medicare coverage and requirements.
• Five years experience in health plan operations.
• Three years experience managing contracts within the state or other public system.
• Knowledge of current public and school employees benefits.
• Project management experience.
• Documented experience in the development and management of health care procurement and health care policy, including managing external consulting resources.
• Documented experience within a public or private health care delivery system.
• Oral and written communication directed to the executive level.
• Stakeholder identification and management.
• Systems and statistical skills with use of software packages for analysis and interpretation.
• State and federal laws and regulations related to health care purchasing, policy, Medicare, Medicaid, and state and federal health care.
• Clinical experience, education, or training.
• Experience working in the delivery of care side of health care.
• Knowledge of current health care systems, clinical systems, and customer service metrics.
• Tax and legal consequences associated with ERISA, USSERA, HIPAA, Cafeteria plans, WA State Title 41 and 48, federal tax code as it relates to both employer-based benefits and brokering benefits to other employers.
• Knowledge of impacts to the PEBB and SEBB Programs when new regulations are introduced.

Skills to:

• Design, develop, coordinate, and implement statewide policy and strategy in relation to health care purchasing, contracting, and program design.
• Think strategically and manage intra-agency, inter-agency, and external stakeholder communications.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently; think strategically, coordinate, and implement the work of intra and inter-agency project teams.
• Develop access standards and perform provider network adequacy analysis and monitoring.
• Perform systems and statistical analysis requiring the use of software tools in advanced ways.
• Negotiate and facilitate interagency program development, implementation, and administration decisions.
• Effectively manage employer benefit contracts.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of management, with a wide spectrum of professionals.
• Troubleshoot and make decisions independently.
• Collaborate with staff and manage consultants, particularly actuarial consultants.

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.

Supplemental Information

About HCA:
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

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. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCAs mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Lisa Fleming at (360) 725-1723 or lisa.fleming@hca.wa.gov.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022