The Data Analyst plays a critical role in supporting affordability initiatives for a risk-bearing entities within Optum Health's East markets. This individual will leverage healthcare data, including medical, pharmacy, provider, and enrollment datasets, to analyze cost drivers, identify savings opportunities, and support strategic decision-making.
The ideal candidate combines solid analytical and technical expertise with the ability to translate complex findings into actionable insights that improve cost efficiency, care delivery, and financial performance.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:- Analyze healthcare cost and utilization data (e.g., medical, pharmacy, provider, and enrollment) to identify key cost drivers and affordability opportunities
- Develop and maintain recurring reports, dashboards, and performance metrics related to healthcare spending and utilization trends
- Partner with cross-functional teams (finance, actuarial, clinical, network, and operations) to support affordability initiatives and strategic decision-making
- Conduct deep-dive analyses to investigate cost variation, high-cost populations, and emerging trends
- Support development of business cases and financial impact analyses for cost-saving initiatives (e.g., care management programs, network changes, benefit design)
- Translate complex datasets into clear, actionable insights and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Assist in building and validating analytical models to forecast cost trends and evaluate intervention effectiveness
- Perform data extraction, transformation, and validation to ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity of datasets
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce waste in healthcare delivery through data-driven insights
- Collaborate with data engineering or IT teams to enhance data quality, accessibility, and reporting capabilities
- Monitor performance of affordability initiatives and track savings against targets
- Support ad hoc analyses for leadership, including strategic questions related to cost, utilization, and financial performance
- Apply best practices in data governance, documentation, and compliance, including handling of sensitive healthcare data (e.g., HIPAA)
- Continuously improve analytical processes, tools, and methodologies to increase efficiency and insight generation
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:- 5+ years of experience in data analysis, preferably within healthcare, health insurance, or cost/claims analytics
- Experience building dashboards and visualizations using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or similar
- Experience working with large, messy datasets and performing data cleaning, validation, and transformation
- Experience working in a regulated environment and handling sensitive data (HIPAA compliance knowledge preferred)
- Solid experience with data analysis tools and programming languages such as Python (pandas, NumPy) or R
- Understanding of key healthcare concepts (e.g., reimbursement models, value-based care, risk adjustment, provider networks)
- Familiarity with healthcare data structures such as claims (medical, pharmacy), EHR data, or eligibility files
- Proficiency in SQL for querying large, complex datasets (e.g., claims, enrollment, provider data)
- Demonstrated ability to analyze healthcare cost drivers, utilization patterns, and/or pricing variation
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Demonstrated solid problem-solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracy
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience using statistical or analytical programming languages such as Python or R for advanced analysis and modeling
- Experience operating in a highly matrixed, multi-region healthcare organization, influencing without direct authority
- Deep experience supporting Medicare Advantage, Medicare Risk Adjustment, or value-based care programs at a regional or enterprise level
- Solid familiarity with healthcare data sources, including claims, encounters, eligibility, provider, and clinical data
- Demonstrated exposure to financial modeling, forecasting, healthcare economics, or actuarial concepts
- Demonstrated solid communication skills, including data storytelling and presentation abilities
*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $72,800 - $130,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
