Health Care Research Analyst

About the Organization:

The Division of Insurance ("DOI"), an Agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, administers the Commonwealth’s insurance consumer protection laws through its regulation of the insurance industry. The primary mission of the Division is to monitor the solvency of its licensees in order to promote a healthy, responsive and willing marketplace for consumers who purchase insurance products. The Division also investigates and responds to consumer inquiries and complaints, enforces state insurance laws and regulations, and provides the public with accurate and unbiased insurance information. An important aspect of the Division’s work is ensuring that the individuals and business entities conducting the business of insurance in Massachusetts do so in a legal and timely manner.

The Division of Insurance is committed to creating and sustaining a work culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and mutually respectful to all its employees regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or disability status. We strive to reflect diversity in all facets and levels of our agency. The Division of Insurance values inclusiveness and diversity within their employee and management teams. Within our community we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

The Division of Insurance is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to maximize their skills and talents to serve our citizens.

About the Role:

The basic purpose of this position is to conduct research in topics relevant to the Health Care Access Bureau’s oversight of health insurance utilization, costs and rating, with special emphasis on the small group and individual market health plans; to analyze data and information needed for the oversight of affordable health plans, including coverage for young adults; and to develop information to disseminate to consumers about health insurance coverage and access to affordable health products. The Health Care Research Analyst will also review filings made by Third Party Administrators, Risk-Bearing Provider Organizations and Group Purchasing Cooperatives.

The Health Care Research Analyst will report to the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the Health Care Access Bureau, and will assist the Health Care Access Bureau actuary, research analyst, and financial expert, in coordinating a review of products available in Massachusetts, including reviews of products available in other states or jurisdictions.

The Health Care Research Analyst will also assist other Health Care Access Bureau staff in conducting studies of the availability of coverage, and will work with staff to determine the methods and procedures to be used in collecting data, will assist in coordinating the collection of data from health carriers and health providers; will review submitted data carefully to ensure that it is reported consistently among all reporters; will assist in the identification of trends in submitted data and in the development of related recommendations for the Deputy Commissioner. The Health Care Research Analyst will also draft regular reports; collect and compare information from various reference sources and/or coordinate contracts with consulting actuaries and other consultants that may be incorporated in Health Care Access Bureau reports.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in formulating research objectives and conducts research in an assigned subject area to obtain required information, and prepares reports based on results of research.
• Work with HCAB staff to determine the methods and procedures to be used for collecting data, including the development of data collection instruments.
• Analyze research results to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Prepare written reports of research findings in accordance with established protocols, including the use of charts, graphs and tables.
• Collect information from various reference sources and consults with experts in various fields of knowledge in order to complete assigned work.
• Perform related duties such as maintaining files and records and attending meetings.
• Review reports for accuracy, completeness and content.
• Oversee and monitor assigned research activities in order to ensure effective operations and compliance with established standards.
• Assess progress and effectiveness of assigned research activities, and recommend changes as needed.
• Assist in planning and implementing research activities to ensure the availability of required information and data.
• Confer with management staff to determine work requirements, availability of resources and to develop research criteria and standards.
• Confer and meet with agency personnel within other Division of Insurance units, including the Health Care Access Bureau, the Bureau of Managed Care, the State Rating Bureau and the Financial Analysis Unit.
• Confer and meet with personnel from external state agencies, including health care staff in the Office of Consumer Affairs, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Group Insurance Commission and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
• Confer and meet with personnel from other state insurance and health departments, and National Association of Insurance Commissioner staff, regarding health insurance issues.
• Confer and meet with personnel from external federal agencies, especially the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the General Accounting Office.
• Confer with local, state, and federal legislative staff to explain trends in health insurance systems and the availability of products in the market.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Prior internship and/or work experience in the financial or statistical division of a health care provider or within a health insurer, Health Maintenance Organization or other health claims payer.
• Knowledge of health insurance terms, concepts, laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the collection of research data.
• Knowledge of statistical research methods and procedures, and the terminology and standard abbreviations used in statistics.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of statistics, including means, medians, modes, standard deviations, binomial coefficients, multiple regression and multivariate analysis.
• Knowledge of the methods of technical and statistical report writing.
• Knowledge of the methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs, and tables.
• Competence in PowerPoint, Acrobat, and Word applications. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel preferred.
• Ability to understand, apply and explain the policies, procedures, specifications, standards, guidelines, laws, rules, and regulations governing the Health Care Access Bureau’s activities.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to gather information by examining records and documents.
• Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to work accurately with names, numbers, codes and/or symbols.
• Ability to determine the proper format and procedure for assembling items of information.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to write concisely to express thoughts clearly, and to develop ideas in logical sequence, and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to supervise projects, including the planning of work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews.

All applicants should attach a cover letter and resume to their online submission for this position.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have (A) at least two (2) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, administrative, professional or technical experience in work involving research, data analysis, compliance, records management or program administration, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may be substituted for the required experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.