Senior Health Policy Advisor

Recruitment #230327-1288MP-001

Location

Hartford, CT

Date Opened

3/30/2023 12:00:00 PM

Salary

$109,901.00 - $149,860.00/year (New State Employees start at minimum of the pay plan)

Job Type

Open to the Public

Close Date

4/14/2023 11:59:00 PM

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Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), is an agency whose mission is to provide accounting and financial services, to administer employee and retiree benefits, to develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and to prepare financial reports for the state, federal and municipal governments and the public.

We are recruiting for a full-time State Comptroller Assistant Division Director R&H, in the role of Senior Health Policy Advisor within our Healthcare Policy and Benefit Services Division.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

40 hours per week
Full-time, First shift
Monday through Friday
Optional hybrid telework schedule following the training period

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

To work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits and Flexible Schedule
An excellent salary and a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan, telework opportunities, as well as paid time off
State of the art building
Free garage parking
On-Site Cafeteria
Ergonomic workspaces
Located in Hartford, CT, close to major highways

THE ROLE: The person selected for this position will:

Identify processes/practices that need to be revised to accommodate regulatory changes.
Procure and contract with vendors required to administer employee benefits administered by the agency.
Participate in planning and oversight of new projects and policy changes associated with the health plans and other employee benefits.
Advise and develop health care policy initiatives as may be necessary to promote the state and Agency goals, including cost containment strategies, advancing health equity, and improving overall health care quality and outcomes.
Participate on health policy advisory boards and committees as may be assigned by the Comptroller.
Prepare all-agency memoranda to communicate policies or program changes.

Selection Plan

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. Please ensure that your application is complete prior to submitting. NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, supervisory references, attendance records, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: bonnie.schlechtweg@ct.gov.

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in the class may apply for a lateral transfer. Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Office of the State Comptroller are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications, including your SPAM/JUNK folders. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements and preferred qualifications of the position.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@CT.GOV.

Applications to this recruitment process may be used for future vacancies.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the State Comptroller, this class is accountable for assisting in the direction of the programs and activities of a major division with statewide impact.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Assists in directing staff and operations of a major division with statewide impact;
Assists in coordinating, planning, and managing program functions within a division;
Assists in formulating program goals and objectives;
Assists in developing related policy;
Assists in implementation of new procedures and procedural revisions;
Assists in interpreting and administering pertinent laws;
Evaluates staff;
Assists in preparing division budgets;
Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact program activities;
Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
May coordinate subpoena responses and Freedom of Information requests;
May assist in directing retirement benefits functions; may assist in directing employee benefits functions;
May assist in directing timely processing of all state payrolls and related documents;
May assist in directing auditing, validation, and payment of all claims against the State;
May assist in directing maintenance of official accounting records of the State;
May develop and maintain guidelines for pension division orders (QDROs) for those retirement systems administered by the Retirement Services Division;
May interpret state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to retirement or employee benefits;
May provide counsel to state agency staff with respect to retirement benefits in connection with resolution of labor disputes;
May prepare contracts for services required by SERC and the State Comptroller to administer employee or retiree benefits;
May assist in coordination of various pension or health care delivery systems including health promotion and wellness initiatives;
May act as the Retirement Services Division liaison to the Office of the Attorney General;
Performs other related duties as required.

Duties specific to this position include:

Oversee contracted legal consultant to provide legal advice and fiduciary oversight for Healthcare Policy Division which administers benefits for 250,000+ members. Ensure compliance with state and federal laws (Internal Revenue Code, COBRA, HIPAA and Affordable Care Act, etc.).
Identify processes/practices that need to be revised due to accommodate regulatory changes. Recommend and analyze proposed legislation. Investigate potential fraud or misuse of plan benefits. Prepare all-agency memoranda to communicate policies or program changes. \
Participate in competitive procurements (RFP) for medical, dental, pharmacy and related services, supplemental benefits program, value-based healthcare administration, and flexible spending account programs as needed.
Set up a process for regular oversight and review of vendor contractual requirements to ensure vendors are meeting contract obligations.
Work with consultants to maintain plan documents for medical and pharmacy benefits offered by State and CT Partnership Program.
Review eligibility of applicants to join Partnership Plan, prepare contracts for all non-state public employers joining plan.
Stay current on legal and regulatory requirements for administration of employee health and flexible spending account plans.
Work with and oversee contracted legal consultant to create and maintain plan documents on all IRS-regulated Section 125 plans, work with external vendors and agency staff to resolve benefit delivery or administrative issues; work with labor/management representatives on implementation of collective bargaining agreements and health plan initiatives.
Oversee contracted legal consultant to provide to maintain operational compliance with state and federal laws/regulations and collective bargaining agreements affecting our health plans (including HIPAA, ACA, IRC, COBRA, SEBAC). Ensure that carriers are operating in accordance with such laws, regulations and collective bargaining agreements.
Respond to Freedom of Information Act requests and subpoenas. Interpret legal decisions, statutes and collective bargaining agreements; assist staff with employee benefits law compliance; negotiate vendor contracts, disclosure agreements, and prepare RFPs.
Engage in negotiations for renewal/extension of contracts for medical/pharmacy benefits. Review audit results and participate in post-audit negotiations with vendors.
Advise and develop health care policy initiatives as may be necessary to promote the state and Agency goals, including cost containment strategies, advancing health equity and improving overall health care quality and outcomes. Participate on health policy advisory boards and committees as may be assigned by the Comptroller.
Responding to legislative inquiries and constituent inquiries related to duties listed above.
Assist Attorney General’s Office in compiling data to support False Claims Act in connection with operation of State’s medical and dental plans.
Compliance and utilization of claims information housed with data warehousing vendor to support episodes of care program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of
- and ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations;
- defined benefit, defined contribution retirement plans, health insurance and other employee benefit programs;
- considerable knowledge of legal and administrative issues concerning employee pension and benefits plans;
Knowledge of
- and ability to apply management principles and practices;
- health care delivery systems;
- collective bargaining, legislative and retirement administrative appeal processes;
Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
Considerable ability in analysis and preparation of complex and comprehensive financial statements and reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of experience in the administration of employee pension plans or employee health care or other employee benefits programs or legal experience in the area of benefits administration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

NOTE:

Supervisory capacity is defined as scheduling, assigning, overseeing work, establishing performance standards for employees and taking corrective measures to implement those standards.
For state employees, supervisory capacity is interpreted at the level of a Retirement and Benefit System Coordinator.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in accounting or business administration may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
A Master's degree in accounting or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
Certification in any of the following may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience: Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.
A law degree from an accredited school of law may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and expertise in health policy
Thorough understanding of laws and regulations overseeing employee health benefits plans
Experience in writing, managing and negotiating contracts related to health coverage and or other employee benefits
Experience in engaging health care providers in contracting negotiations or other partnerships
Experience in and knowledge of Other Post Employee Benefit funding and contributions
Experience and knowledge of self-insured unemployment administration
Experience and knowledge of the legislative and collective bargaining process, including the interpretation and application of the relevant state and federal laws, collective bargaining agreements, and legal/court decisions relative state employee health benefits
Must demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in order to complete rapid turn-around of communication and policy materials and successfully meet deadlines
Demonstrated experience in written communications in a professional setting, moving from concept to implementation with little editorial oversight
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies
Problem solving and analytical abilities including the ability to critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, reconcile conflicts, decompose high-level information into details and synthesize large amounts of information into effective policy articulations
Experience conducting policy-oriented research and presenting findings in presentations or written materials
Ability to work with a team as well as independently, and to be proactive in seeking solutions to challenges
Ability to work in a fast-paced atmosphere with changing priorities

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

Conclusion

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES AND THOSE RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE INDICATED ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer. The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities. If you are requesting special accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact Bonnie Schlechtweg at 860.702.3323 or Bonnie.Schlechtweg@ct.gov

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.