Sr. Cost of Health Care Strategy Analyst

Job DescriptionInternal Job Title: Sr Network Innovation AnalystThe health care industry is evolving and Wellmark is working to help change it for the better. Help us lead the change as we build out our Network Analytics Team at WellmarkAbout the Role: Drive Wellmark’s value-based strategy by designing, implementing, and enhancing value-based payment and incentive models. Leverage multiple internal and external data sources to deliver strategic analysis, actionable recommendations, and performance dashboards that improve medical cost, quality, and provider outcomes. Ensure data integrity through quality assurance checks, and support total cost of care initiatives for the Network Performance team. Serve as a mentor and coach, developing tools and processes that modernize analytics, improve efficiency, and strengthen reporting capabilities.About You: You are inquisitive and focused on making data-driven conclusions, decisions and recommendations to achieve business goals. You feel effective when you can extract, analyze, interpret and integrate data to monitor and implement strategic, innovative initiatives. In addition, you have a thorough understanding of contracting, claims payment procedures and payment policy. You have strong written and verbal communication skills that aid you in consulting, collaborating and effectively communicating complex concepts to varied audiences. You enjoy mentoring, coaching, sharing knowledge, and providing guidance to others, while building and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.This position will work a hybrid schedule of at least 3 days in a Wellmark's Des Moines office (Tues-Thurs), with 2 days remote option (Mon and Fri).  QualificationsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's degree or direct and applicable work experience.5+ years of experience:Pulling reports, analyzing, and interpreting complex data – e.g., clinical outcomes, claims data, utilization trends, etc. Ability to interpret and integrate data, or perform statistical analyses and data modeling techniques.Health insurance, health care, or related industry experience.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel. Ability to create or customize ad hoc reports and knowledge of formulas, vlookups, linking spreadsheets or data sources, data summarization/visualization, etc.Proficiency in SAS and SQL for data extraction, manipulation, and analysis and the technical aptitude to learn new data management and analysis tools or methodologies quickly.Strong consultation, relationship management, and critical thinking skills. Ability to develop business acumen and ask meaningful questions in order to effectively consult with and influence stakeholders.Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex concepts to varied audiences. Ability to develop and deliver presentations.Attentive to details. Ability to collect, monitor, and assess the accuracy, validity, and integrity of data.Ability to educate stakeholders on complex, technical subjects.Experience coaching and mentoring others.Valid Driver’s License with intermittent travel, less than 5%.Preferred Qualifications: Experience developing executive summaries.Have a passion for mentorship and coaching.Familiarity with SAFe Agile MethodologyAdditional InformationJob Accountabilities:a. Develop new value-based payment models and data analytics and reporting, using internal data sources and vendor relationships.b. Provide actionable data and recommendations to health care organizations as it relates to medical cost and quality. The Sr. Analyst will collaborate with the Network Payment Strategy and Network Performance teams and will meet with value-based health care organizations to review performance and drive action plans that achieve cost of care, quality and financial performance.c. Develop opportunity projections and determine the viability of various opportunities to support strategic decision making as it relates to cost of care, efficiency and quality to drive Wellmark’s value proposition with stakeholders.d. Support other Analysts by mentoring, coaching and providing guidance and industry expertise.e. Serve as a business liaison for Network Payment Strategy and Network Performance teams on strategic initiatives and projects.f. Extract, analyze, interpret, and integrate data using internal and external data sources to develop initiatives, support recommendations and draw conclusions to internal and external stakeholders to achieve business strategies and goals.g. Ensure data integrity by performing quality assurance checks for vendor reporting. Will collaborate with other analysts to conduct monthly verification of the vendor dashboards.h. Maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including health care organizations and vendors, to communicate Wellmark’s value-based payment strategy and present utilization, financial and clinical information clearly and accurately.i. Support the Network Performance team in creating and maintaining relationships with provider groups by identifying, initiating and establishing appropriate internal and external contacts and sources needed for information sourcing.j. Support stakeholders in monitoring progress towards goals by demonstrating the comprehensive impact of recommendations (e.g., illustrate and explain results of return on investment and/or program evaluation analyses).k. Support Network Payment Strategy and Network Performance initiatives by documenting and monitoring value-based health care organization payment initiatives.l. Perform routine analysis for Wellmark leadership to monitor payment methodologies for effectiveness. Apply qualitative and quantitative techniques to interpret provider payment data, identify opportunities and provide recommendations as appropriate.m. Other duties as assigned.An Equal Opportunity EmployerThe policy of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact us at careers@wellmark.com Please inform us if you meet the definition of a "Covered DoD official". At this time, Wellmark is not considering applicants for this position that require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please refer to the following resources:Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants