What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Director - Medicaid Policy & Plan Management position at Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services?
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as the Medicaid Deputy Director – Policy and Plan Management. This executive role provides leadership and oversight of policy development, state plan management, eligibility operations quality assurance, and managed care contract oversight within Nebraska’s Medicaid and Long-Term Care (MLTC) system.
This position plays a critical role in shaping Medicaid policy, ensuring regulatory compliance, advancing legislative initiatives, and overseeing managed care performance across physical health, behavioral health, and dental services. The Deputy Director partners with division leadership, federal agencies, legislative stakeholders, and internal teams to drive policy innovation and operational excellence in support of MLTC’s mission to help people live better lives.
Examples of work:
- Provide executive leadership for MLTC policy development, state plan amendments, waiver administration (including 1115 and 1915(b)), and eligibility operations quality oversight.
- Oversee the development, review, and implementation of Medicaid policies to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Direct oversight of managed care contracts, including quality monitoring, compliance, and performance evaluation.
- Serve as a primary liaison with federal partners and represent MLTC in legislative hearings, stakeholder meetings, and public forums.
- Provide strategic guidance on division legislative activities and regulatory updates.
- Collaborate with other DHHS divisions and Deputy Directors to improve service delivery, coordination, and outcomes across programs.
- Support transparency and communication through website oversight and public-facing policy updates
Requirements/Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in Public Administration, Health Policy, Business, Law, or a related field. (Bachelor’s degree with equivalent progressive experience may be considered.) Minimum of five (5) years of progressive leadership experience. Minimum of five (5) years of experience working within Medicaid, healthcare policy, or large public-sector systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in federal or state government.
- Proven executive-level leadership experience overseeing complex, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong knowledge of Medicaid state plan requirements, waivers, managed care oversight, and CMS regulatory frameworks