The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) seeks a Senior Health Policy Analyst to serve on the Commission’s staff. Exceptionally well-qualified applicants may be considered at the Principal Policy Analyst level.
MedPAC is a small, nonpartisan support agency established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33) to provide independent policy and technical advice to the U.S. Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program. MedPAC analyzes and reports on all aspects of Medicare payment policy and is frequently called upon by the Congress to provide expert testimony and technical assistance during development of legislation.
The candidate chosen for the position will evaluate current and alternative Medicare payment policies, develop options for consideration by the Commission, and present their work in public meetings. They will provide technical support as needed to Congressional committees through memos and briefings. The analyst must be able to frame policy questions, develop research plans, and simulate the effect of payment policies. They must be willing to work both independently and as part of a team. A willingness to work in a nonpartisan environment is essential.
Analytical skills
A successful candidate for this position will be able to:
- Identify Medicare policy issues of relevance to the Congress and generate original policy ideas to address problems related to health care payments and access to quality care.
- Design and lead high-quality original analyses of Medicare policies affecting payments to health care providers and plans, interpret findings, and develop policy options and evaluate their implications.
- Investigate complex issues related to Medicare’s payment policies and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information.
- Research federal regulations or similar sources on Medicare’s policies affecting health care providers and develop familiarity with academic literature on Medicare’s payment policies specific to a provider sector (e.g., hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, physicians, managed care plans, etc.).
- Conduct original quantitative analyses. The ability to conduct primary data analysis using statistical software (e.g., SAS, Stata, etc.), is strongly preferred but not a prerequisite for the position.
- Provide and receive constructive feedback.
Writing and communications skills
- Ability to produce high-quality written work on time. Experience publishing health policy analysis and research in professional venues is desirable though not required.
- Strong speaking skills to present research at MedPAC’s public meetings. Experience presenting health policy analysis and research in public settings is desirable though not required. The ideal candidate will be able to communicate complex technical concepts and analyses to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
Education and experience
- A graduate degree in economics, health services research, public policy, public health, health administration, or related field, and between five and ten years of relevant work experience. Candidates without a graduate degree who have at least ten years of relevant experience may also be considered.
- Experience analyzing health care policy, either in a professional setting (such as federal or state government, a policy research organization, an insurer or health plan, or a health care provider organization) or as part of graduate coursework, with strong preference for specific experience analyzing Medicare payment issues.
Work location and schedule
This is a full-time position based in downtown Washington, DC. Interested applicants should be available to work in the office three days per week with flexibility to attend other in-person events as needed. MedPAC staff have flexibility for telework twice per week, and other times as needed.
Salary and benefits
Salaries at MedPAC are competitive with those at other organizations and are commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. MedPAC offers excellent benefits and a collegial, collaborative, respectful work environment.
How to apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for three references to jobpostings@medpac.gov.
The writing sample should demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate analysis of a health policy issue.
References will not be contacted without prior approval from the applicant
Must be a U.S. citizen.