Reentry Eligibility Program Manager (HCPM/AHEA) - Project

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Washington; Remote; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Health Care Authority is seeking a Reentry Eligibility Program Manager to lead eligibility policy for the Reentry Initiative under the Medicaid Transformation Project. You will translate federal and state requirements into workable policy and processes, partnering with carceral facilities, community organizations, and agencies statewide to support Apple Health coverage.

The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and policy implementation using human-centered design and an

Qualifications

• Health care program knowledge and experience.
• Experience developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating health care programs.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, policies, and contracts.
• Skill in analyzing program data and making recommendations.
• Clear communication to leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Understanding barriers to health care access and inclusive services.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional activities.
• Ability to resolve complex program concerns with practical improvements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME in eligibility policy for Reentry Initiative and 1115 waiver.
• Collaborate with carceral facilities and community organizations on eligibility processes.
• Coordinate CMS meetings to ensure compliance with Medicaid requirements.
• Develop Apple Health eligibility policy and procedures for stakeholders.
• Lead partner relationships for implementing changes.
• Consult with Health Benefit Exchange and DSHS in development of statewide tools.
• Monitor enrollment strategies and provide policy plans that meet federal requirements.
• Train partners and staff on Apple Health and ACA enrollment policies.

Skills

Health care program knowledge

Program planning & implementation

Policy & regulatory interpretation

Strategic analysis & decision-making

Communication & consultation

Equitable service delivery

Leadership & organizationalCoord.

Problem resolution & continuousimprov

Education

Master's degree in public health or related field

Tools

ACES

Barcode

ProviderOne

Washington Healthplanfinder

Job description

Description

Reentry Eligibility Program Manager - Project

This is a full-time project, remote position. Employees may occasionally be asked to attend an in-person meeting or event based on business needs.

This project position is funded through June 30, 2028.

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

The Opportunity

Help people leaving incarceration connect to the health coverage they need to rebuild their lives. As the MTP Reentry Eligibility Program Manager (Health Care Program Manager) in the Eligibility Policy Innovation and Community Support (EPICS) section, you will serve as the agency's subject matter expert on Apple Health eligibility policy for the Reentry Initiative under the Medicaid Transformation Project (MTP) Washington's 1115 demonstration waiver. You will turn federal and state requirements into clear, workable policy and processes, partnering with carceral facilities, community organizations, and agencies across the state to support coverage for the nearly 2 million Washingtonians who rely on Apple Health.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert in eligibility policy and technical application for the Reentry Initiative, 1115 demonstration waiver, coordinating, analyzing, and implementing eligibility policy deliverables for the reentry 1115 waiver demonstration project.
• Collaborate with carceral facilities, developing and supporting eligibility processes that ensure compliance with federal and state policy.
• Coordinate monthly Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) meetings to ensure HCA follows Medicaid and Title XXI/CHIP requirements.
• Develop and clarify Apple Health eligibility state and federal policy and procedures for legislative staff, constituents, other state agencies, HCA staff, and community-based organizations.
• Lead and manage partner relations for implementing necessary changes, including with federal partners as necessary.
• Consult with the Health Benefit Exchange, the Department of Social and Health Services, and their contractors in the development of statewide eligibility and enrollment tools.
• Monitor implementation of health care initiatives and strategies, lead HCA and other agencies on progress and challenges, update federal State Plans as required, and provide project management for Apple Health policy implementation using human-centered design principles and a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.
• Train local partners and staff to ensure communities understand Apple Health and the Affordable Care Act as it relates to enrollment policies and procedures, including continuous outreach to local communities and assessing staff training needs.
• Respond to legislative and constituent inquiries on behalf of the Director and other senior managers, and review legislative bills that have potential impacts to Apple Health, making recommendations consistent with strategic long-range plans.
• Monitor enrollment strategies carried out by HCA staff and community-based organizations, and provide long- and short-range policy plans that meet client needs, meet federal Medicaid and CHIP guidelines, and create cost-efficient plans for policy implementation.
• Direct implementation of policy, negotiate with partners on behalf of the agency, serve as a point of contact in a region for the agency on policy and implementation guidelines, and manage divisional contracts as needed.
• Resolve local issues regarding the incorrect use of policy or procedures and complex issues with community-based organizations and HCA staff independently, and engage, communicate with, and present to community partners and leadership using the best methods to share ideas and achieve optimum results.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Your work helps people returning to their communities from incarceration to gain access to the health care they need.
• You’ll shape a high-profile federal waiver initiative from policy design through implementation.
• You’ll partner with carceral facilities, CMS, state agencies, Tribal partners, and community organizations across Washington.
• You’ll have real influence, presenting proposals to executive leadership and guiding statewide policy.

What You Bring

You are a policy expert who can untangle complex federal and state requirements and turn them into clear, practical guidance for people working in very different settings. You manage multiple deliverables and partners at once, think strategically about long- and short-range plans, and resolve complex problems independently while knowing when to involve leadership. You are a confident communicator and trainer who builds trust with partners, uses human-centered design, and applies an equity lens to policy implementation.

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.

• Health Care Program Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of health care delivery systems, public health programs, and applicable federal and state requirements to support effective program administration.
• Program Planning and Implementation: Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating health care programs, policies, and operational initiatives to achieve established objectives.
• Policy and Regulatory Interpretation: Demonstrated expertise interpreting and applying laws, administrative rules, policies, and contractual requirements to complex program issues.
• Strategic Analysis and Decision-Making: Demonstrated skill in analyzing program data, assessing risks and operational impacts, and developing informed recommendations for management decisions.
• Communication and Consultation: Demonstrated skill in communicating complex health care program information clearly and providing sound technical guidance to leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Equitable Service Delivery: Demonstrated understanding of barriers to health care access and approaches that support responsive, inclusive, and culturally appropriate services.
• Leadership and Organizational Coordination: Demonstrated experience coordinating cross-functional activities, setting priorities, and supporting staff and partners through operational or policy changes.
• Problem Resolution and Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving complex program concerns, balancing competing priorities, and implementing practical improvements consistent with program requirements.

Required Competencies

• Equity lens – All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow – You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you’ve learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others – You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications

While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of Washington State government structure and divisional functions, particularly Apple Health (Medicaid) policies, procedures, programs, and services, to support the appropriate delivery of Medicaid services to eligible individuals.
• Experience applying state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to Medicaid, health care reform, and the administration and delivery of medical assistance programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of management principles and organizational practices, including group processes, problem solving methodologies, conflict resolution, negotiation, and effective organizational decision-making.
• Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication with clients, business partners, professional and managerial groups, and executive leadership, including public speaking, independent decision making, interpersonal communication, planning, project management, and leadership.
• Experience drafting Medicaid policies and procedures, researching Medicaid policies and practices in other states, developing short-term and long-term planning strategies, and evaluating program implementation for compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Experience analyzing Medicaid systems, program data, statistics, and other relevant information to identify and resolve complex issues involving Medicaid and state-funded medical program eligibility policies, legislative changes, and budgetary constraints.
• Experience educating communities about federal Medicaid and state-funded medical program eligibility policies and services, including developing and delivering clear, accurate policy to partners, legislators, and community leaders in a precise, understandable manner. Demonstrated knowledge and experience using health care eligibility and information systems, including ACES, Barcode, ProviderOne, Washington Healthplanfinder, and related client data systems, as well as proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and flowchart applications.
• A master's degree with major study in public health, behavioral health, public administration, business administration, social work, or a closely related field.
• Consultative or supervisory experience in health services, social services, Medicaid, behavioral health, or other health care programs.

About the Apple Health Eligibility and Access Division

The Apple Health Eligibility and Access (AHEA) Division works across HCA and in partnership with the health care community at the local, state, and federal levels to develop and manage high-quality, evidence-based health care programs and purchase services that enhance Washington residents' ability to access appropriate, quality health care. Within AHEA, the Eligibility Policy Innovation and Community Support (EPICS) section evaluates federal statutes and regulations, sets state policy for Apple Health eligibility, and represents the agency in communities across the state, supporting the nearly 2 million Washington residents who rely on Apple Health for affordable medical services.

Supplemental Information

About the Washington State Health Care Authority

Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington.

At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. As the State’s largest health care purchaser and behavioral health authority, HCA serves nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs, and behavioral health services. Through this work, HCA purchases and coordinates care coverage, supports behavioral health prevention, treatment, crisis response, and recovery and helps strengthen access to high-quality care across Washington.

More than a benefits package: We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do their best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future. Learn more about why HCA by visiting the Voices of HCA and the "Who we are" section of our website.

Your total compensation is more than your paycheck:

• Remote work and flexible schedules
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Work location and schedule: This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week remote position. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs and supervisor approval. In this role you will regularly collaborate with colleagues, agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace: The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth.

Veterans: We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214 documentation to your application. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

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.