Health Equity Manager for ACO Programs

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Health Equity Manager for ACO Programs will support Boston Medical Center Health System (BMCHS)’s ACO partners in advancing health equity for their patients. The Health Equity Manager for ACO Programs will be at the cutting edge of health equity innovation, through the lens of MassHealth health equity reforms. 

Boston Medical Center Health System (BMCHS)'s ACO program is comprised of multiple Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) with a variety of clinical sites, including a mix of academic medical centers, community hospitals and community health centers across the state of Massachusetts. Together with Boston Medical Center Health System (BMCHS) including WellSense Health Plan, ACOs share risk for Medicaid patients and work together to improve quality, manage medical expenses, and enhance patient experience. This program is part of MassHealth’s broader 1115 waiver reform effort to transform healthcare via formation of Medicaid ACOs that can strengthen patients’ relationship with primary care, integrate different types of care (incl. physical, behavioral health care and long-term supports/services), and develop innovative approaches to address social needs that impact health. As part of this waiver, MassHealth has developed an incentive program called the ACO Quality and Equity Incentive Program (AQEIP) to hold ACOs and hospitals accountable for reducing inequities among Medicaid patients in Massachusetts. The Health Equity Manager for ACO Programs will work closely with BMCHS ACO partners to advance health equity for their patients and ensure fulfillment of all MassHealth equity-related requirements. 

The Health Equity Manager for ACO Programs will report to the Director of Health Equity for ACO Programs as a member of BMCHS’s Population Health Services department. The Health Equity Manager will work closely with other BMC departments including System Analytics, IT, Quality and Clinical teams in the Population Health Services department, Health Equity teams at BMC Hospitals and the WellSense Health Plan, and BMC’s Health Equity Accelerator (more information on the Health Equity Accelerator available at: https://www.bmc.org/health-equity-accelerator).

Position: Health Equity Manager for ACO Programs       

Department: Population Health

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Key Job Responsibilities:

The Health Equity Manager for ACO Programs will lead BMCHS’s health equity-related support of ACO partners. Key tasks include but are not limited to the following:

• Support ACO partners to improve AQEIP performance and maximize incentive funding. This will include developing implementation, reporting, and performance management strategies for measures across 3 key domains:
  1. Collection of demographic and health related social needs (HRSN) data: collect and report patient data on Race, Ethnicity, Language, Disability Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and HRSN screenings 
  2. Equitable Access and Quality: implement targeted projects to reduce clinical and social disparities; ensure the provision of disability competent care; and provide interpreter services to patients who speak a primary language other than English 
  3. Capacity & Collaboration: achieve external accreditation of Health Equity initiatives; and improve member experience

• Support ACO partners in setting up data collection and reporting workflows, analyzing data and information, developing strategies to reduce inequities, and implementing changes in conjunction with and advice from the management team.

• Guide ACO partners through the process of meeting all additional contractual MassHealth requirements related to health equity (e.g., implementation of a health equity strategic plan, coordination of a Health Equity Committee, staff training).

• Collaborate with multiple teams at BMCHS to build new health equity systems and strategies and to codify health equity learnings for dissemination with ACO partners. This role will collaborate with teams including: System Analytics; IT; Population Health Services (including colleagues focused on Quality, Clinical Operations and Integration, Behavioral Health, and Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Services programs); Health Equity teams at BMC Hospitals and the WellSense Health Plan; and the Health Equity Accelerator.

• Partner closely with BMCHS Analytics and IT teams to build health equity data collection and reporting workflows, develop AQEIP performance monitoring dashboards, and lead analyses that enable systems to identify further opportunities to advance health equity.

• Serve as a strategic thought-partner to internal and external stakeholders working to design and implement approaches to advance health equity for their patients – even if beyond the scope of MassHealth ACO reform.

• Act as a liaison with relevant stakeholders to resolve problems that interfere with the advancement of health equity priorities for ACO partners.

• Represent BMCHS at external forums related to health equity and / or population health.

• Performs other duties as needed.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills with a proven ability to work across interdisciplinary teams and engage with stakeholders from various sectors, including government agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers.

• Comfort navigating complex data collection and reporting workflows in close partnership with Analytics and IT teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyze and translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to create compelling reports, presentations, and visualizations to support health equity initiatives and decision-making.

• In-depth understanding of health disparities, social determinants of health, and the policies and systems that impact health equity.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Ability to identify when escalation to senior leaders is necessary.

• Strong problem solving skills.

• Dedicated team player with the willingness and desire to learn and grow within the organization.

• Familiarity with accountable care organizations, Medicaid programs, and quality programs a plus.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree of Arts or Science or equivalent work experience.

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related fields preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Requires 5-7 years of experience in a healthcare business environment with at least 2 years of management experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans