The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) seeks people who are committed to producing high-quality work in an intellectually challenging environment.
MedPAC is a nonpartisan independent legislative branch agency that advises the U.S. Congress on Medicare payments to health care providers and issues affecting access to and quality of care received by Medicare beneficiaries. MedPAC staff evaluate Medicare policies, develop options for consideration by the Commission, and present their work in regular public meetings. MedPAC publishes its recommendations and supporting analyses in two annual reports to the Congress and in other reports periodically mandated by the Congress. In addition, staff prepare analyses of proposed regulations, write issue briefs, and contribute to the preparation of Congressional testimony. They provide technical support as needed to staffs of Congressional committees through memos and briefings.
MedPAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Openings
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) seeks a health policy analyst to serve on the Commission’s post-acute care team. Exceptionally well-qualified applicants may be considered at the Senior or 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 post-acute care 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:
- Analyze Medicare policies affecting payments and beneficiaries’ access to post-acute care (PAC) settings, identify issues of relevance to the Congress, develop policy options and evaluate their implications.
- Examine 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 PAC providers and develop familiarity with academic literature on Medicare’s PAC payment policies.
- 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.
A successful candidate for the Senior or Principal-level position will also be able to:
- Identify Medicare policy issues of relevance to the Congress and generate original policy ideas to address problems related to PAC payments and access to quality care.
- Design and lead high-quality original analyses of Medicare policies affecting payments to post-acute care providers, interpret findings, and develop policy options and evaluate their implications.
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. Candidates for the Senior- or Principle-level position will also have at least five years of relevant work experience. Candidates without a graduate degree who have at least seven 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.
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 ability to attend additional 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.
To ensure consideration, apply by September 23, 2024.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) seeks a research assistant to serve on the Commission’s staff.
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 perform a variety of tasks including compiling data, data programming (using software such as SAS, Stata, R), data visualization, literature reviews, and coordinating and summarizing interviews with stakeholders. Research assistants write policy briefs and present findings in public, so we particularly value candidates with strong written and oral communication skills. They must be willing to work both independently and as part of a team and show initiative in taking on assigned tasks. A willingness to work in a nonpartisan environment is essential.
Research skills
A successful candidate for this position will have:
- Experience with quantitative and qualitative research, with preference given to experience researching health policy topics.
- Familiarity and comfort with statistics, data analysis, and spreadsheet analysis.
- Resourcefulness to investigate complex issues and synthesize information in a timely and complete manner.
- Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
- Willingness and determination to learn new skills.
- Knowledge of health policy or public policy.
Writing and communications skills
- Ability to coherently and concisely communicate research findings in writing.
- Strong speaking skills to present research findings.
Education and experience
Candidates should have graduated from a bachelor’s program or have an expected graduation by January 2025 in a discipline such as economics, political science, public policy, health services research, public health, health administration, pre-medicine, or related field.
Work location and schedule
The ideal candidate will be available to start work in the first quarter of 2025, upon completion of their bachelor’s degree, and commit to the position for at least two years. MedPAC research assistants have gone on to attend graduate school in various fields (law, public policy, economics, medicine, nursing) or have taken positions in health care research and policy organizations.
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, and two writing samples to RAjobposting@medpac.gov.
The writing samples should demonstrate clear communication and critical thinking.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
