PERM Analyst

Location: Austin, TX

Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $7,980.97 per month

Shift: Day (First) | Full-time | Exempt

Telework: Some remote work may be possible, but regular in-office presence is required. Travel: Up to 10%

About the role

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) division is seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of PERM Analyst (Program Specialist VII) on the MCS PERM Coordination team. This role supports the state’s participation in the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) program review, a large, recurring review that identifies gaps, process improvement needs, and determines improper payment error rates for services provided to eligible Texans through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The ideal candidate thrives in an environment built on teamwork, excellence, curiosity, critical thinking, and integrity. This role requires strong skills in complex analysis, project management, organization, and clear, timely communication. The PERM Analyst will engage key stakeholders, manage expectations, meet deadlines, and maintain strong working relationships with state, internal, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with team members and across MCS to identify innovative, effective solutions for stakeholders and staff. (25%)
• CMS Liaison & Coordination:
  • Serves as the point of contact with CMS, its PERM contractors, state program experts, and leadership across the Texas HHS system (HHSC, DSHS, and DFPS).
  • Identifies and informs the right HHS staff and management and ensures their participation in relevant portions of the PERM program.
  • Schedules, attends, and distributes results of meetings and calls with CMS and its contractors.
  • Collects, organizes, analyzes, and prepares information for submission to CMS and its contractors, as well as for internal tracking and reporting.
• PERM Cycle Oversight:
  • Directs and oversees PERM cycle activities, quickly building an understanding of complex, integrated Medicaid and CHIP processes, including:
    • Fee-for-service (FFS) and managed care (MC) delivery models
    • Data differences for large and small state programs
    • Program policies and processes
    • Federal regulations and state policies for payment processing, records retention, and eligibility determinations
  • Key responsibilities include:
    • Monitoring and coordinating large dataset submissions, ensuring lead times are communicated and deadlines are met.
    • Coordinating meetings, including reserving workspace, as needed.
    • Learning state systems’ access and provisioning processes to ensure reviewers receive timely, appropriate system access.
    • Tracking the statuses of sampled cases across tested components: (a) provider medical records, (b) claims data processing, and (c) eligibility determinations.
    • Staying on top of all open requests and ensuring timelines are met.
    • Monitoring concurrent review activities for obstacles, delays, or errors, and researching and collaborating to file timely difference resolutions and appeals when possible.
    • Communicating clearly, both verbally and in writing, simplifying complex requests, educating new staff and stakeholders, connecting multiple program areas, and flagging potential errors, delays, or concerns to stakeholders and leadership.
    • Creating, organizing, and maintaining essential PERM cycle files in SharePoint.
• Corrective Action Plan Coordination:
  • Receives, communicates, and coordinates information across all teams responsible for developing corrective action plans for finalized cycle errors.
  • Coordinates with state management and staff to submit complete corrective action plans before CMS deadlines and provides periodic updates to CMS on implementation status.
  • Quickly learns complex PERM topics through research and analyzes high-risk audit issues.
  • Coordinates across program areas to develop resolution strategies.
  • Prepares and presents detailed resolution responses, both orally and in writing.
  • Creates, organizes, and maintains essential PERM cycle files in SharePoint.
• Other duties as assigned. Attendance is required on a regular, predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, with coursework relevant to audit, information technology, accounting, finance, public policy, law, or another business-related field.
• Experience in auditing and coordinating external audits or reviews, or leading complex projects, processes, or initiatives. Relevant work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two years of experience in the Texas Medicaid program or similar health and human services program.

Skills

• Ability to collaborate with and motivate staff to perform at a high standard, serve as an example to others, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively across MCS and other divisions to accomplish shared objectives.
• Keen attention to detail and the ability to implement creative solutions to obstacles.
• Ability to balance team and individual responsibilities.
• Knowledge of Health and Human Services programs, functions, and systems, Medicaid and CHIP programs, functions, and systems, audit procedures, processes, and federal and state regulations and regulatory bodies, and project management approaches and tools.
• Skill in:
  • Organizing and managing time across multiple, competing priorities, with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
  • Building interpersonal relationships with stakeholders, including leading and facilitating discussions and negotiations, resolving conflict, and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, stakeholders, and leadership at all levels.
  • Writing action-oriented, clear, and concise correspondence for varied audiences.
  • Analyzing and assessing interdependencies of complex programs, and evaluating rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Coordinating and reviewing the work of others, providing constructive feedback.
  • Scheduling, coordinating, and leading meetings.
  • Using Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Ability to:
  • Collect, analyze, and evaluate complex technical information, translating it into clear, concise documents, reports, and presentations for stakeholders, leadership, and CMS.
  • Conduct research, collect and analyze data, and present findings in a logical format.
  • Make timely, effective decisions and ask the right questions to maintain timelines throughout the PERM cycle.
  • Identify challenges and develop creative, workable solutions to complex problems.
  • Articulate and share ideas clearly when collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships, and work cooperatively in a team environment.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.