Healthcare Economist – Remote

Key Skills

Design, Econometrics, Effective communication skills, Machine learning techniques, Python Programming, R Programming, SAS, Scala Programming, Stata, Statistics

Job Description

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here’s your opportunity. We’re going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us and help people live healthier lives while doing your life’s best work.(sm)

OptumServe Consulting (OSC)/The Lewin Group (Lewin), a premier national healthcare and human services consulting and policy analysis firm, brings more than 50 years of experience finding answers and solving problems for leading organizations in the public, non-profit, and private sectors. OSC/Lewin’s strategic and analytical services aim to help clients:

• Improve policy and expand knowledge of healthcare and human service systems
• Enact, run, and evaluate programs to enhance the delivery and financing of healthcare and family services
• Deal with shifts in healthcare practice, technology, and regulation
• Optimize performance, quality, coverage, and health outcomes
• Create strategies for institutions, communities, associations, foundations, governments, and people to make healthcare and human services systems more effective

In the wide-ranging field of human services consulting, OSC/Lewin provides both depth and breadth of expertise. Currently, OSC/Lewin has more than 250 consultants drawn from industry, government and academia. They all share a solid commitment to Lewin’s core values of objectivity, integrity, analytical innovation, vision and dedication to client satisfaction. 

At UnitedHealth Group, Seeking a dynamic, goal-oriented Healthcare Economist to develop research files and analyze healthcare data for federal health projects such as program evaluations. The role requires expertise in programming (SAS, R, Python, SQL, or STATA) and quantitative analysis. 

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop analytic files for federal contracts through the linkage of disparate data sources and the creation of variables
• Independently perform a broad range of quantitative analyses to inform the design, implementation, and evaluation of payment models and other aspects of health policy
• Develop analysis design, research and problem-solve data issues and contribute to the development of analytical methods
• Perform fast-paced ad-hoc analysis to address client needs quickly
• Apply machine learning, econometrics/statistics, predictive modeling, return-on-investment analysis, simulation, and data visualization methods to support program evaluations and the development of health policy
• Write detailed specifications and documentation of data processing and analytical steps 
• Write effective and efficient code both independently and under the guidance of project managers using best practice quality control procedures 
• Maintain a consistently high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in all tasks 
• Work effectively and cooperatively as a member of project teams, and effectively direct the activities of less experienced staff
• Prepare data and information for internal as well as external use, contribute to reports, and assist with project coordination tasks 
• Interact with clients and develop strategic working relationships 

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Economics, Statistics, Public Health, Public Policy -or- Master’s degree in a related field with 3+ post graduate years of experience managing and analyzing large datasets and designing and conducting research studies
• Experience in preparing data and information and contributing to reports and presentations 
• Experience interacting with clients 
• Proven curiosity, excellent oral and written communication skills, solid interpersonal skills, and a focus on meeting deadlines 

Preferred Qualifications:

• SAS certification 
• 5+ years of experience managing and analyzing large datasets with complex structures and relationships
• Experiencing designing and conducting analyses to support large program evaluations
• Experience working with healthcare claims and enrollment data and familiarity with healthcare data/payment concepts such as: 
• Claims data structure and contents (e.g., claim-level vs. claim line level, revenue center codes, procedure codes, diagnosis-related groups) 
• Claims processing concepts (e.g., final action, maturity) 
• Inpatient vs. outpatient service settings 
• Payment concepts such as allowed amount vs. paid amount, deductible/coinsurance 
• Understanding of Medicare FFS data and payment policies 

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, or Washington Residents Only: The salary range for California, Colorado, Connecticut, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Washington residents is $85,000 to $167,300. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.