MaineCare Children’s and Behavioral Health Policy Writer

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Comprehensive Health Planner II

Opening Date: July 15, 2024

Closing Date: July 29, 2024

Job Class Code: 5050
Grade:  26 (Pro. & Tech. Svcs.)  
Salary: $56,264.00 - $78,998.40 per year

Position Number: 02031-2417

Location: Augusta

Anticipated Vacancy

Agency information: 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) within DHHS administers the state’s Medicaid program, which provides health insurance coverage for low-income families, adults and children so they can access the important health care services they need to be healthy and be a part of the community through work, caring for family, going to school, and more. OMS works collaboratively within DHHS, with other Departments and the Office of the Governor, with MaineCare members, with providers, and with other health care purchasers on statewide healthcare improvement initiatives. OMS is committed to advancing health equity efforts to improve access to care and health outcomes for all low-income Mainers. OMS provides benefit coverage and supports the services that operate in alignment with Department goals, federal mandates, and State policy. OMS also provides oversight necessary to ensure accountability and efficient and effective administration.  

The Policy Division is responsible for the development of policies and programs that provide eligible Maine residents with access to comprehensive, affordable, evidence-based health care services. The unit has primary responsibility for planning, writing, and promulgating administrative rules related to MaineCare covered services through formal rulemaking consistent with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act (MAPA).

Core Responsibilities:

As a Children’s and Behavioral Health Policy Writer in the Policy Division, you will help OMS adopt policies necessary for implementation of its plan for comprehensive rate system reform, which aims to streamline, rationalize and improve MaineCare’s reimbursement system to ensure rates are equitable and sufficient to provide all MaineCare members with access to needed, high value healthcare services. The Children’s and Behavioral Health Policy Writer will develop expertise in covered services as outlined in assigned sections of the MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM) and in MAPA processes. They will work collaboratively with other OMS staff, DHHS Offices, the Office of the Attorney General, and external stakeholders, including members and providers, to understand the way these sections work in practice, research best practices and legal requirements, recommend changes and updates, and enact changes through rulemaking. This position may work with and actively collaborate on sections of the MBM relating to children’s and behavioral health services, including crisis services, private non-medical institution services, assertive community treatment services, and rehabilitative and community support services.

The Children’s and Behavioral Health Policy Writer will:
•    Draft and propose new rules, working with various internal and external stakeholders.
•    Initiate formal MaineCare policy rulemaking through the MAPA process, including proposal and adoption of MaineCare rules, facilitating public hearings as necessary, and responding to public comment on proposed rules.
•    Evaluate and interpret assigned sections of the MBM, including analysis of standard and best practices nationally and compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
•    Evaluate ways to further OMS’s rate reform goals, including a focus on supporting evidence-based practices.
•    Work collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders including internal staff, other state offices, providers, members, and advocates.
•    Think critically and strategically to address complex health policy issues and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
The position works to create policy that is responsive to the needs of MaineCare members and providers as guided by best practice, data analysis, and stakeholder feedback.