Apple Health Eligibility and Access Director (EMS4/AHA)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington is seeking an Apple Health Eligibility and Access Director for a full-time permanent hybrid role in Olympia, WA. The position reports on-site at least twice per week to meet business needs and ensure eligibility operations align with state and federal requirements.

The director will oversee a new division focused on Apple Health (Medicaid) eligibility and access services, balancing policy work with day-to-day operations and leading a 300+ employee workforce through senior

Qualifications

• Qualifying candidates must meet one of two option criteria.
• Option 1 requires a Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of leadership in Medicaid or related fields.
• Option 2 requires an Associate degree and 7 years of leadership in Medicaid or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Direct statewide Medicaid, CHIP, and state-funded medical eligibility operations.
• Establish strategic direction, priorities, performance measures, and operational objectives for Medicaid, CHIP, and state-funded medical assistance eligibility.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and equitable eligibility determinations and renewals.
• Lead organizational change initiatives to improve service delivery, efficiency, and outcomes.
• Provide executive oversight and direction of medical eligibility policy development and implementation.

Skills

Medicaid policy knowledge

Public speaking

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in health policy/health administration/public health/public administration or related field

Associate degree in health policy/health administration/public health/public administration or related field

Job description

Apple Health Eligibility and Access Director

This is a full-time permanent hybrid position. This position is required to report on-site in Olympia, WA, at least two times per week to meet business needs.

All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.

The Opportunity

This director oversees a new division consisting of previously existing teams whose work is focused on Apple Health (Medicaid) eligibility and access services. This highly visible role is a balance of overseeing policy work as well as day-to-day operations of the division.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct statewide Medicaid, CHIP, and state-funded medical eligibility operations.
• Establish strategic direction, priorities, performance measures, and operational objectives for Medicaid, CHIP, and state-funded medical assistance eligibility.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and equitable eligibility determinations and renewals.
• Lead organizational change initiatives to improve service delivery, efficiency, and outcomes.
• Provide executive oversight and direction of medical eligibility policy development and implementation.
• Interpret and operationalize complex federal and state statutes, regulations, and guidance.
• Ensure compliance with federal Medicaid and CHIP requirements, state laws, and agency policies.
• Represent the agency and the program in federal and state eligibility audits, reviews, and corrective action activities.
• Advise the Medicaid Director and executive leadership on policy, operational, fiscal, and regulatory impacts to Apple Health eligibility.
• Serve as appointing authority for a workforce of 300+ employees, both represented and non-represented, through senior leaders and front-line supervisors.
• Exercise authority for recruitment, hiring, promotion, reassignment, discipline, and separation decisions.
• Direct division budget planning, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability.
• Provide executive sponsorship and oversight for eligibility systems modernization and technology initiatives.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Have a direct impact on Medicaid eligibility policy, which is constantly evolving, in a state where access and affordability are at the forefront of this work.
• Engage with the public in a role that is highly visible and directly impacts the clients we serve.
• Work to solve important and complex problems as Medicaid rules and laws change.

What You Bring

• Medicaid policy knowledge: You are familiar with, and excited by, policies and laws that govern the work of this division.
• Public speaking: You are confident representing the division’s work in public and political forums.
• Decision making: You are a composed decision-maker comfortable with handling responsibilities including personnel actions, policy decisions, and operational changes.

Required Qualifications

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application.

Qualifying candidates will satisfy one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

• Bachelor’s degree in health policy, health administration, business administration, public health, public administration, or other closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in Medicaid, public health, human services, eligibility administration, health policy, or related programs, projects, teams, or operations in a represented environment.

Option 2:

• Associate degree in health policy, health administration, business administration, public health, public administration, or other closely related field.
• Seven (7)