Benefits Navigation Program Manager

Socket.dev; Tacoma (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

Elevate Health in Tacoma, WA, seeks a Benefits Navigation Program Manager to lead management and operations for WA Cares, Medicaid/Apple Health, Marketplace enrollment and other public benefit initiatives. The role includes outreach, eligibility oversight, and ensuring compliance, with a focus on equitable access to benefits.

The position requires at least 5 years in benefits navigation and program management within community health, with a commitment to partnership building and staff

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in community health, public health, social services, non-profit management, social work, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in health benefits navigation (Medicaid, WA Cares, Marketplace).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program and operations management within community health or related sectors, including management of direct reports.
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities.
• Experience working in communities addressing social and health care disparities.
• Experience providing social or clinical coordination services in Pierce County preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide management and operational oversight for Benefits Navigation programs and initiatives.
• Develop and implement community outreach and education plans to increase awareness and utilization of public benefit programs.
• Oversee eligibility screening, enrollment assistance, and participant support processes for high-quality services.
• Monitor changes in eligibility policies and ensure program compliance.
• Develop workflows, policies, and SOPs for Benefits Navigation services.
• Establish enrollment goals, monitor performance metrics, and implement quality improvements.
• Collaborate with state agencies, MCOs, providers, employers, and community organizations.
• Ensure culturally responsive outreach and enrollment services.
• Analyze enrollment trends and identify service gaps for improvements.
• Support grant implementation, reporting, and compliance related to funding.

Skills

Program management

People management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Community Health, Public health, social services, non-profit management, social, or related field

Job description

Are you passionate about leadership and helping others in your community and ready for your next career move? Elevate Health is one of nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs) in Washington State, a successful non-profit collaborative in Pierce County, and dedicated to achieving health equity through collective action (learn more at elevatehealth.org).

We have a unique opening for a Benefits Navigation Program Manager in our (hybrid) Tacoma office. The Program Manager provides management and operational oversight for Benefits Navigation initiatives, including Washington Cares, Medicaid/Apple Health, Marketplace health insurance enrollment, and other public benefit enrollment programs. This includes developing outreach plans, overseeing eligibility and enrollment processes, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, supporting community-based Benefits Navigators, and fostering partnerships that improve equitable access to health coverage and long-term care benefits. The Program Manager facilitates continuous quality improvement efforts and works collaboratively with the Communications Department to improve equitable access to benefits.

If you are looking for an excellent career opportunity at a successful, mission- and values-driven organization, with an amazing team, and a hybrid work schedule, this is a unique opportunity!

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

Benefits Navigation Program Management

• Provide management and operational oversight for Benefits Navigation programs, including WA Cares, Medicaid/Apple Health, Marketplace insurance, and other public benefit enrollment initiatives.
• Develop and implement community outreach and education plans to increase awareness and utilization of public benefit programs.
• Oversee eligibility screening, enrollment assistance, and participant support processes to ensure high-quality, person-centered services.
• Monitor changes in federal and state eligibility policies and ensure program compliance.
• Develop workflows, policies, and standard operating procedures for Benefits Navigation services.
• Establish enrollment goals, monitor performance metrics, and implement quality improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with state agencies, managed care organizations (MCOs), healthcare providers, employers, and community organizations to improve access to benefits.
• Ensure culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate outreach and enrollment services.
• Analyze enrollment trends and community needs to identify service gaps and recommend program improvements.
• Support grant implementation, reporting, and compliance related to Benefits Navigation funding opportunities.

Partner Engagement

• Develop strategic partnerships with organizations providing community-based care, including but not limited to benefits enrollment services, healthcare access, aging services, disability services, and social service programs.
• Coordinate cross-referrals between Connect Pierce partners and Benefits Navigation providers to improve client outcomes.
• Promote integration of Benefits Navigation services within Connect Pierce care coordination workflows.

Outreach and Education

• Collaborate with the Elevate Health Communications team to develop and maintain culturally responsive, plain-language educational materials that promote Connect Pierce services, Benefits Navigation services, and other community-based initiatives.
• Partner with Communications team to develop print, digital, and web-based content, including brochures, flyers, social media content, presentations, website content, newsletters, and other outreach materials that increase community awareness and access to available benefits and services.
• Review educational and outreach materials to ensure accuracy, consistency with program requirements, accessibility standards, and alignment with organizational messaging and branding.
• Coordinate communications strategies that support community education events, outreach campaigns, enrollment activities, and partner engagement efforts.
• Identify opportunities to improve public awareness of Connect Pierce services and Benefits Navigation programs through strategic communications and community engagement.

Contract Monitoring:

• Develop measures, audit tools for contracted service providers, and evaluate performance and outcomes in collaboration with interdepartmental team members.
• Facilitate meetings with various community stakeholders for feedback.
• Ensure partner participation in evaluations and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Implement Plan-Do-Study-Act processes and improve or resolve identified issues.
• Communicates regularly with other managers, leadership within the organization, and other designated contacts in the community.
• 
  Adhere to HIPAA security and compliance standards in all work.

Staff Management:

• Supervise, coach, and provide technical assistance to Benefits Navigators responsible for outreach, eligibility determination, and enrollment assistance.
• Ensure staff maintain required certifications and complete ongoing training related to WA Cares, Medicaid, Marketplace enrollment, and other public benefit programs.
• Monitor productivity, quality assurance, and professional development of Benefits Navigation staff.

Data Management & Reporting:

• Utilize data analytics to track performance and community impact.
• Implement data-informed decision-making to optimize operational efficiency.
• Monitor program performance using enrollment, outreach, and quality metrics.
• Prepare reports for funders, state agencies, and organizational leadership regarding Benefits Navigation performance and impact.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of outreach and communication strategies using participation, enrollment, and engagement data, and collaborate with the Communications Department to continuously improve messaging and educational materials.

Quality Assurance:

• Define regulatory standards and best practices in community care.
• Identify and lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and client experience.
• Works to improve community-based care coordination processes, communication, and client care as it relates to health-related social needs.

Travel within Pierce County is required to fulfill some of the above duties and responsibilities. The Program Manager will be expected to use their personal vehicle for travel and will be reimbursed for mileage and any personal expenses incurred.

Other duties as assigned.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Community Health, Public health, social services, non-profit management, social, or related field (master’s degree preferred),
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in health benefits navigation (Medicaid, WAHBE, Marketplace)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program and operations management within community health or related sectors, including management of direct reports; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities.
• Experience working in communities addressing social and health care disparities.
• Experience providing social or clinical coordination services in Pierce County preferred.

Here’s why you’ll love working at Elevate Health:

Amazing People – A collective of smart, caring people working with partners to improve communities throughout South Puget Sound and make a positive impact each day.

Fun Environment – From all staff meetings to escape rooms, we work hard and also take time to have fun.

Hybrid Schedule – Enjoy the flexibility to work from home and our office.

Robust Benefits – Enjoy comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement savings, paid holidays, vacation, and personal time.

Real Impact – Clinical care equates to just 20% of a person’s overall health. We work across the other 80% - the conditions in which people live, learn, and work across every stage of life – to truly elevate health and well-being. Learn more about us at https://www.elevatehealth.org.

Elevate Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Elevate Health complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.