Alvarez & Marsal's Public Sector Health and Human Services team is at the forefront of driving transformational initiatives within government, helping public sector leaders increase operational efficiencies, realize cost-savings, and improve performance while maximizing outcomes for people.

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Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Planning team member within Office of Mental Health CoordinationPlanned, coordinated, and organized meetings of the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (BHAC) and Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (SBHCC) in consultation with the Chair and other members.Oversaw application, selection and appointment of members to the committee. Developed orientation materials and provided education to members including, but not limited to, HHSC organization, committee by-laws, timeline for deliverables, funding cycles, and travel processes. Built and maintained relationships with members to ensure ongoing stakeholder communication and engagement occurs throughout their term as a member of the council and committee.Worked with members and staff to schedule meetings, set agendas, and coordinate with presenters. Prepared, facilitated, and followed-up on action items for each committee meeting. Ensured committee bylaws are reviewed by legal partners and maintained. Coordinated and oversaw the work of other team members responsible for advisory committee travel and subcommittee logistics.Responded to correspondence and requests from members, legislative offices, and the media, ensuring coordination with appropriate contacts across the agency, in a timely manner. Developed and compiled feedback from partners via surveys, public forums, community meetings. Developed and coordinated, correspondence, bill analyses, briefing documents, issue papers and memorandums for executive management.

Program Policy Department member within Medicaid/CHIP Policy & Programs DivisionOversaw and assisted with the development and implementation of complex federal and state program initiatives and options for Medicaid/CHIP, including program analysis, option development, timelines, and fiscal impact analyses. Developed work plans, monitored and reported on progress.Interpreted agency rules, federal and state laws, and oversaw compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules. Prepared responses to public, stakeholder, and legislative inquiries, and performed legislative bill analysis.Prepared quality research, analysis, and written updates, summaries, letters, memoranda, analyses, reports, job descriptions, presentations, and agendas.Provided input and technical assistance and guidance to staff in the development and implementation of program changes and new initiatives.Worked with and spoke to community and professional groups, other HHSC programs, other state agencies, legislative staff, the Medicaid managed care plans, and public stakeholders, to provide information, technical assistance, identify needs and resolve issues. Developed oral presentations and written materials for the work groups and meetings conducted with internal and external stakeholders.

Clinical Policy Unit member within Medicaid/CHIP Policy & Programs DivisionPerforms complex behavioral health medical policy analysis and consultationLeads the development, planning and implementation of behavioral health benefits related to Texas Medicaid Participates, and at time leads, on other committees, work groups or activities as requestedSeeks input from other staff in the Medicaid and CHIP Services Department and demonstrate the ability to work as an effective team member with other divisions within HHSC, and other HHS agenciesResearches and gathers relevant information from a variety of resources, including current research and literature related to recommended, evidence-based behavioral health practicesSynthesizes findings for a clinical and political audience, and applies findings to the behavioral health benefits in the Medicaid programProvides expert consultation to staff, other agencies and external persons including legislators and managed care organizations on current behavioral health policies.

Medical Benefits Policy team member within Medicaid/CHIP Policy & Programs DepartmentResearched, analyzed, and synthesized medical policy documents and complex claims processing system information Evaluated technical information such as standards of care, evidence-based practices, and peer reviewed literature and applies findings to medical and dental benefit policiesPerformed comprehensive quality review of policy language and claims processing system changesDeveloped complex memos, technical policy summaries and reports for HHSC Executive LeadershipWorked with external stakeholders, HHS agencies and vendors in order to resolve policy issues, discuss program effectiveness, and identify training needsIdentified the need for policy changes through the analysis of claims appeals and denials, provider complaints, and prior authorization requests

Medical Benefits Support team member within Medicaid/CHIP Policy & Programs DivisionProvided new and edited content for the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures ManualCreated provider notifications for Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care Collaborated with state contractors and multiple areas within HHS SystemAssisted clinical and medical benefit policy teams in medical benefit policy research, changes and implementationParticipated with clinical policy team on annual CMS HCPCS, ICD and NCCI updatesManaged workgroup that completed transition to new publication timeline

Researched Medicaid/ACA eligibility, enrollment, and implementation policyAssisted health & wellness team members with other federal and local policy research and data analysisSharpened skill in gathering, assembling and analyzing research materials and dataCompleted analysis of Texas spending and budget patterns related to Medicaid and other state funded health servicesCreated written materials including blogs, memos, and briefs about health policy and consumer protections in insurance regulationAttended state agency & community partner coalition meetingsAssisted Health & Wellness team members with other coalition and campaign planning and logistics tasksDeveloped and maintained professional & stakeholder relationshipsManaged multiple priorities and projects simultaneously

Operated as weekend nursing supervisor of 16 bed psychiatric crisis unit Experience with vulnerable adults with mental health diagnoses Navigated policies & procedures of locally funded mental health service provider Managed multiple tasks with initiative and independence Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a diverse group of stakeholders Experienced in facilitating discussions with and between clients including managing problem behavior escalationHigh level of professionalism, punctuality, and dedication to work assignment Educated clients on purpose, action and side effects of psychiatric medication Translated medical plan of care information to an interdisciplinary team of providers Prepared clients for transfer to alternate care facilities

Conducted initial student intake & evaluation Made an initial assessment of student needs Referred students to appropriate school services and community resources Met with students individually Facilitated Teen Parent support group Taught parenting education within groups on campuses Monitored student attendance and gradesInterfaced with teachers and counselors, as necessary

Worked in fast paced, urgent care environment Completed critical patient transfers between facilities offering varied levels of acute care Provided timely, clear and efficient communication between physicians and nurses to ensure continuity of care Arranged transport, including air ambulance when appropriate Navigated high stress work environmentManaged competing priorities to provide excellent care

Provided in home nursing care to primarily Medicare population in rural TennesseeReceived additional specialized training to provide high-level wound care servicesSelected to head an in-home tele-monitoring health programAided in Medicare quality assurance auditsLearned intake/data entry information for electronic health record Maintained accurate, timely, recording of physician ordersWorked independently in the community with little direct supervisionProvided patient education on diagnosis and treatment plans