Eligibility Policy Program Manager (HCPM/AHEA)

Salary : $80,496.00 - $108,228.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number:
Department: Health Care Authority
Division: AHEA
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Eligibility Policy Program Manager (Health Care Program Manager)

This is a full-time permanent, remote position. Employees may occasionally be asked to attend an in-person meeting or event based on business needs.

All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.

The Opportunity

Be the agency's go-to expert on how Washington residents keep their Apple Health coverage. As the Eligibility Policy Program Manager in the Eligibility Policy Innovation and Community Support (EPICS) section, you will lead statewide policy for Apple Health renewals, ex parte renewals, and change of circumstances across all 65 programs. You will translate federal and state requirements into clear, workable policy that protects coverage for nearly 2 million Washingtonians and ensures state and federal funds are used appropriately.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert in Apple Health eligibility renewal policy, ex parte renewals, and change of circumstances, leading the analysis and maintenance of current and changing policy across all 65 programs with working knowledge of all statewide Apple Health eligibility policy.
• Collaborate with federal partners, community partners, staff, and system partners to build shared understanding and implementation of initiatives that impact renewal cycles and compliance.
• Coordinate and lead workgroups with business partners to develop eligibility processes that comply with federal and state policy.
• Coordinate monthly Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) meetings to ensure HCA follows Medicaid and Title XXI/CHIP requirements.
• Translate federal policy and guidance into statewide Apple Health policy through Washington Administrative Code (WAC) development and adoption; develop and clarify policy and procedures for legislative staff, constituents, state agencies, HCA staff, and community-based organizations.
• Lead and manage partner relations to implement necessary changes with federal partners, community assisters, providers, legal advocates, Tribal partners, and other interested parties.
• Respond to legislative and constituent inquiries and review legislative bills with potential impacts to Apple Health, making recommendations consistent with strategic long-range plans.
• Direct the implementation of policy, negotiate with partners on behalf of the agency, and serve as a regional point of contact on policy and implementation guidelines.
• Analyze agency policy and operations, develop proposals for executive management, and lead improvements to case processing, workflows, and eligibility determinations.
• Train staff and community partners on Apple Health policy and present to partners and leadership through webinars, meetings, and conference calls.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Your expertise will directly protect continuous health coverage for Washington residents at every renewal.
• You'll work at the intersection of federal guidance, state rulemaking, and community implementation.
• You'll have real influence, presenting proposals to executive leadership and shaping statewide policy.
• You'll collaborate with CMS, partner agencies, Tribal partners, and community organizations across the state.

What You Bring

You are a policy expert who can untangle complex federal and state requirements and turn them into clear, practical guidance. You think strategically about long- and short-range plans while staying responsive to day-to-day issues, and you resolve complex problems independently while knowing when to involve leadership. You are a confident communicator and negotiator who builds trust with partners, uses human-centered design, and applies an equity lens to policy development.

Required Qualifications

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application.

• Health Care Program Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of health care delivery systems, public health programs, and applicable federal and state requirements to support effective program administration.
• Program Planning and Implementation: Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating health care programs, policies, and operational initiatives to achieve established objectives.
• Policy and Regulatory Interpretation: Demonstrated expertise interpreting and applying laws, administrative rules, policies, and contractual requirements to complex program issues.
• Strategic Analysis and Decision-Making: Demonstrated skill in analyzing program data, assessing risks and operational impacts, and developing informed recommendations for management decisions.
• Partner Collaboration: Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining productive relationships with agencies, health care providers, community organizations, and other partners to advance shared program goals.
• Communication and Consultation: Demonstrated skill in communicating complex health care program information clearly and providing sound technical guidance to leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Equitable Service Delivery: Demonstrated understanding of barriers to health care access and approaches that support responsive, inclusive, and culturally appropriate services.
• Leadership and Organizational Coordination: Demonstrated experience coordinating cross-functional activities, setting priorities, and supporting staff and partners through operational or policy changes.
• Problem Resolution and Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving complex program concerns, balancing competing priorities, and implementing practical improvements consistent with program requirements.

Required Competencies

• Equity lens - All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow - You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you've learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others - You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications

While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant.

• Demonstrated professional experience providing consultation or supervision in health services, social services, Medicaid, behavioral health, or other health care programs.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, partner engagement, leadership, strategic planning, project management, and independent decision-making when interacting with agency leadership, professional organizations, community partners, and other interested parties.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Washington State government structure, agency functions, and Apple Health (Medicaid) policies, procedures, and services to support effective administration and delivery of medical assistance programs.
• Experience interpreting and applying state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing Medicaid, health care reform, and the administration and delivery of medical assistance programs.
• Experience researching, developing, drafting, and evaluating Medicaid policies and procedures; analyzing policies and practices in other states; developing short- and long-term program strategies; and assessing program implementation for compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Experience conducting complex research and analysis of Medicaid systems, program data, legislation, fiscal constraints, and other relevant information to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions related to Medicaid and state-funded medical program eligibility policies.
• Experience developing and delivering educational materials, presentations, and technical guidance regarding federal Medicaid and state-funded medical program eligibility policies and services to community organizations, partners, legislators, and other audiences.
• Demonstrated proficiency in management principles, organizational practices, collaborative problem-solving, conflict resolution, negotiation, and decision-making to support effective program operations and organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, databases, spreadsheets, and information management systems, including ACES, Barcode, ProviderOne, Washington Healthplanfinder, and other relevant systems to research, analyze, and manage program information.
• A master's degree in public health, behavioral health, public administration, business administration, social work, or a closely related field.

About the Apple Health Eligibility and Access Division

The Apple Health Eligibility and Access (AHEA) Division works across HCA and in partnership with the health care community at the local, state, and federal levels to develop and manage high-quality, evidence-based health care programs and purchase services that enhance Washington residents' ability to access appropriate, quality health care. Within AHEA, the Eligibility Policy Innovation and Community Support (EPICS) section evaluates federal statutes and regulations, sets state policy for Apple Health eligibility, and represents the agency in communities across the state, supporting the nearly 2 million Washington residents who rely on Apple Health for affordable medical services.

Supplemental Information

Work Location and Schedule

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week remote position. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs and supervisor approval. In this role you will regularly collaborate with colleagues, agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.

Application Directions

To be considered, you must complete the online application in full and submit all required materials. Incomplete applications or applications missing required materials will not be considered. When completing your application, please include the following required materials:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• Three (3) professional references: References must be entered directly into the designated references section of your application. We require 3 professional references including at least one current or recent supervisor.

We encourage you to apply! If you meet the required qualifications for this position; we want to hear from you. Desired qualifications de