Medicaid Program Policy Analyst

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Medicaid Program Policy Analyst

Job Title: Program Specialist V

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: Program Policy Spec B

Posting Number: 18756

Closing Date: 07/22/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Community and Social Services

Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework:

Travel: Up to 5%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 701 W 51ST ST

Other Locations:

MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description

The Program Policy team within the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy is seeking a Program Specialist V to serve as a policy analyst and subject matter expert on a variety of program policy topics related to Medicaid and CHIP services and managed care. Duties involve performing advanced consultative and technical work related to the analysis, planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of managed care policy. Policy area examples include but are not limited to: the statewide STAR program, hospice services, service coordination, targeted case management, non-emergency medical transportation, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), complaints and appeals, and services for justice-involved youth.

The Policy Analyst provides subject-matter expertise to agency staff, government agencies, community organizations, managed care organizations, provider organizations, and the public. The position may serve as the lead in the implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives.

Other responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to create and update policies, procedures, contract requirements, administrative rules, business rules, and communications to external stakeholders and contractors.
• Develop project timelines for assigned projects, monitor and report on progress, and update timelines as necessary.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the internal and external stakeholders to schedule standing meetings, respond to policy inquiries, draft reports, update content in public documents and websites, and manage shared mailboxes.
• Assist in researching managed care organizations' compliance with program policy contractual requirements.
• Participate in and help to facilitate meetings with stakeholders, including managed care organizations, provider associations, people receiving services, and subject matter experts.

The ideal candidate thrives in an environment that emphasizes: teamwork to achieve goals, excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, curiosity to continuously grow and learn, critical thinking for effective execution, and integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy.

This position works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude to exercise initiative and independent judgment. The Policy Analyst (Program Specialist V) reports to a Manager for Program Policy in the Medicaid and CHIP Services Division.

Essential Job Functions

(25%) Collaborates with other areas of MCS and HHSC to plan, develop, implement, monitor, interpret, and evaluate Medicaid programs, policies, MCO contract requirements, business rules, administrative rules, waivers, and state plan. Evaluates MCO compliance with program policies and procedures, contract requirements, statutes, rules, and takes corrective action if needed.

(25%) Plans, monitors, and evaluates the implementation of state and federal legislation and regulations. Analyzes state legislation, federal legislation, and federal rules to evaluate their impact on MCS and stakeholders, including MCOs, service providers, and members.

(20%) Establishes, facilitates, participates in, and develops agendas for relevant workgroups and committees, including inter-agency workgroups and committees. Coordinates and provides requested training to internal staff and external entities.

(20%) Prepares high quality written documents such as project updates, reports, PowerPoint presentations, communications to stakeholders and contractors, executive memos, policy and project summaries, legislative reports, administrative rules, waivers, and state plan amendments.

(10%) Other duties as assigned.

Registration, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications

N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws and regulations;
• Government organization and administration;
• Program issues related to Medicaid services for children and adults;
• Principles of health and human services policy and planning;
• State of Texas legislative processes.

Skills in:

• Analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting complex federal and state legislation, program, policy, and operations issues;
• Project management policy analysis, and performing policy research;
• Synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating highly complicated and technical information;
• Translating policy and technical information into easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations;
• Developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues; and
• Facilitating stakeholder and different workgroup meetings.

Ability to:

• Develop, amend, and interpret program policies, rules, and contract requirements related to Medicaid and CHIP Services;
• Research, gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and devise solutions based on the information available;
• Work with a team under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts;
• Exercise judgment and work independently with minimum supervision;
• Work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of personnel in government entities;
• Use Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to adjust communications to fit the intended audience;
• Work with diverse groups of people, including stakeholders, who have a variety of opinions.

Initial Selection Criteria

Candidate must meet one of the following:

• High school diploma and at least five years of full-time work experience in a health and human services field;
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university and at least one year of full-time work experience in a health and human services field; or
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in public health, public administration, public affairs, social work, or closely related field.

Preferred criteria:

• Experience or education in a field focusing on the delivery of healthcare, public health, state government, social work or other related field.
• Demonstrated experience with developing advanced deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products.

Additional Information

Benefits of joining the MCS Office of Policy include:

• Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth and career advancement.
• Being part of a team that impacts the lives of millions of Texans that depend on Texas Medicaid throughout Texas.
• Being on the ground level of healthcare policy development and implementation, including the opportunity to work closely with stakeholders such as federal partners, providers, advocates, managed care organizations, and other healthcare contractors.
• Engagement with the Texas legislative process, including the opportunity to analyze and inform legislators of potential impact of proposed bills.
• The opportunity to learn and engage with multiple domains of the healthcare delivery system, including managed care, fee-for-service, federal-state Medicaid partnerships and other activities related to the administration of the Medicaid program.

The position is located in Austin and requires regular in-office attendance, with some opportunity for telework.

The final salary offer is dependent on factors such as Human Resources policies and available budget.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditors Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.