Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Lewin Group/OptumServe Consulting, a premier national health care and human services consulting and policy analysis firm with 50 years of experience, finds answers and solves problems for leading organizations in the public, non-profit, and private sectors. Seeking a dynamic, goal-oriented Healthcare Policy and Data Analyst to develop research files and analyze health care data for federal health and human services projects. The role requires expertise in SAS, R, Python, SQL, or STATA as well as experience with statistical 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.
• Data intake, cleaning, and standardization.
• 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.
• Efficiently query large databases of healthcare claims and eligibility data.
• Perform fast-paced ad-hoc analysis to address client needs quickly.
• Use software tools such as SAS, R, Python, SQL or STATA to perform tasks such as payment calculations, financial analysis, performance benchmarking, quality measure calculations, trend analysis, health disparity analysis, monitoring reports, case matching and program integrity analysis.
• 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 a project teams
• 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:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics or related field
• Academic coursework in intermediate statistics
• 3+ years of experience using SAS (including macro processing and Proc SQL), R, Python, SQL, and/or STATA in a research, consulting, or business environment to perform the following tasks:
• Manipulating data and/or creating datasets
• Performing quantitative analyses (e.g., descriptive statistics, multivariate regressions, predictive modeling)
• Creating automated reports
• 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
• Experience in preparing data and information and contributing to reports and presentations
• Curiosity, excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and a focus on meeting deadlines
• Experience interacting with clients

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Advanced degree in Statistics, Economics, Public Health, Public Policy or related field
• 5+ years of experience conducting statistical analysis, including program evaluations
• 5+ years of experience creating analytic files from databases with complex structures and relationships
• 5+ years of experience managing and analyzing large datasets
• Demonstrated expertise in Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VBA)
• SAS certification
• Understanding of Medicare payment methodologies such as IPPS, OPPS, RBRVS, etc.

Careers with Optum. Our objective is to make health care simpler and more effective for everyone. With our hands at work across all aspects of health, you can play a role in creating a healthier world, one insight, one connection and one person at a time. We bring together some of the greatest minds and ideas to take health care to its fullest potential, promoting health equity and accessibility. Work with diverse, engaged and high-performing teams to help solve important challenges.

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

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.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.