Supplemental Payments and Special Projects Unit Manager

Supplemental Payments and Special Projects Unit Manager (WMS2/FS) - Internal

This opportunity is internal and available to current HCA employees only.

The Supplemental Payments and Special Projects Unit Manager leads a high-impact team responsible for administering and overseeing major hospital and professional payment programs that support Washington's healthcare system. In this role, you'll manage complex financial operations, guide three professional staff, and collaborate with state and federal partners to ensure programs run smoothly and comply with regulations. This position offers a promotional opportunity to HCA staff to directly support healthcare access across the state, with flexible telework options and comprehensive benefits.

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

The Health Care Authority's (HCA) Financial Services Division (FSD), in collaboration with other HCA divisions and a variety of external stakeholders and legislative partners, provides strategic financial expertise for Apple Health, Public Employee Benefits Board, and School Employee Benefits Board programs. In addition, FSD oversees the budget and compliance functions necessary to manage and monitor the single largest Washington State individual agency operating budget. Functions include budget management, accounting, forecasting, professional and hospital rate setting, financial analysis, and payment/collection operations. This division maintains a close working relationship with agency program, policy, and clinical divisions to ensure financially sound implementation and monitoring of program strategies. It is also accountable to the Governor and legislature in ensuring HCA operates within its budget.

About the position:

The Supplemental Payments and Special Projects Unit Manager is responsible for all work produced and disbursed from various programs including: hospital and professional supplemental payment programs, professional services supplemental payment (PSSP), provider access payment (PAP), airlift services supplemental payment program (ASSP), outpatient directed payment (ODP), inpatient directed payment (IDP) the hospital safety net program (SNP), Graduate Medical Education payments. This position may be responsible for special projects related to hospitals and supplemental payments as directed by leadership. This position manages three professional staff who are responsible for procedural decisions, financial determination, data development, coordination, and design, and extensive analysis.

This position is eligible to telework but is occasionally required to report on-site to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA has currently suspended the ability to support out-of-state telework.

Some of what you will do:

• Manage and oversee a variety of supplemental payment programs for Washington State hospitals and hospital-based professionals, including PSSP, PAP, ASSP, ODP, IDP, SNP, GME, and other special projects.
• Supervise three professional staff responsible for administering programs totaling over $2.7 billion annually, subject to significant stakeholder and federal scrutiny.
• Provide fiscal and procedural management of supplemental payment programs, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
• Conduct claims analysis, data research, and fiscal impact assessments to support proposed legislation and provide technical expertise to the Washington State Legislature.
• Perform bill analysis and develop fiscal and policy recommendations based on proposed legislative changes.
• Oversee monthly calculations and payments for PSSP, PAP, ASSP, ODP, IDP, and GME programs, totaling more than $500 million annually.
• Manage and maintain databases supporting supplemental payment programs and special projects, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and accessibility.
• Perform data mining and analysis to evaluate existing programs and assess new or proposed initiatives.
• Coordinate annual submissions and responses for CMS state-directed payment preprints and related waivers, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and quality metrics.
• Manage calculation processes and dispute resolutions related to supplemental payment programs.
• Monitor and manage budget impacts, process improvements, and updates to WAC and State Plan Amendments (SPA).
• Review hospital supplemental payment methodologies, hospital financial data, and federal regulations to identify and adapt to regulatory changes.
• Develop strategies for implementing new and existing regulations affecting hospital supplemental payments.
• Lead, coach, and mentor staff to ensure professional growth, performance excellence, and alignment with program goals.
• Coordinate annual CMS submissions of state-directed payment preprints and tax waivers to secure federal approval for supplemental payment programs.
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information from CMS and other oversight entities.
• Serve as liaison with HCA quality management and data analysis teams to submit required quality metrics for federal program approval.
• Manage contractor relationships necessary for administering state-directed payments and related special projects.
• Collaborate with the Office of Purchasing and Procurement to ensure compliance with state contracting rules, including RFP development, evaluation, and vendor selection.
• Maintain ongoing communication with contractors to ensure effective execution of state-directed payment operations.

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

Bachelor's degree or higher finance, accounting, business, public administration, mathematics, or closely related field and three (3) years of the required experience below

Option 2:

Associate degree in a field identified above, and five (5) years of the required experience below

Option 3:

Seven (7) years of the required experience below

The required experience includes the following:

• Employment experience in a financial or analytical field.
• Ability to track multiple activities, projects and tasks at once, including supervised activities.
• Expert level skills in the use of quantitative software applications (Excel, Access).
• Expert level skills with quantitative and statistical analysis methods and techniques.
• Expert level Project Management skills.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred qualifications:

• Prior experience supervising, coaching and mentoring staff.
• Expert knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the funding of the State medical assistance hospital programs.
• Familiarity with the populations that receive State medical assistance, eligibility determination criteria and medical program specifications.
• Familiarity with Medicaid managed care directed payment programs.
• Expert level skill with database management query languages, including SQL.
• Expert level public speaking ability and facilitation skills.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex spreadsheets, statistical models, computer system interfaces and database operations.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills that utilize correct grammar, sentence structure and concise wording.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with other fiscal and program staff and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate with people of varying backgrounds. This includes listening, confirming understanding, assertiveness and use of a variety of communication methods.
• A strong drive for accuracy and timeliness within a constantly changing environment.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the required qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in

About HCA:

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• Tuition reimbursement
• And free parking

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA's mission.Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Lisa Fleming at or

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.

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More than Just a Paycheck

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

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