Here’s your chance to play a part in helping the millions of Americans with communication disorders! Ready to put your private plans and payment policy knowledge to the test? We’re looking for an expert who can effectively advocate for audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs)―the providers who help people overcome communication disorders―to have access to comprehensive coverage of the critical services they provide across commercial plans.  
 
Your daily tasks will include  

• Working with a committed and knowledgeable team of policy experts and advocates to advance ASHA’s health policy initiatives in the private health plans space, including direct outreach to decisionmakers and external stakeholders. 
• Providing expert-level consultation, analysis, and advocacy on private insurance coverage guidelines and federal and state regulations that impact audiologists, SLPs, and the people they serve. 
• Finding new and creative ways to teach ASHA members about the most exciting topics in the world….practice management and payment policy! 

 
To thrive in this role, you must be a 

• Policy dork, first and foremost! 
• Skilled networker and strong advocate. This job requires excellent relationship building skills and powers of persuasion! 
• True team player.  

Description
This position is responsible for managing all advocacy activities and policy work related to private health plan coverage of and payment for audiology and speech-language pathology services.

Responsibilities

1. Collaborates on identifying, developing, executing, and evaluating coordinated advocacy strategies designed to advance ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda.
2. Conducts high-quality analyses and develops relevant health care policy recommendations with implications for the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.
3. Prepares analyses, issue briefs, letters, testimony, regulatory comments, and other resources as needed that are designed to advance the relevant health care priorities within ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda.
4. Represents ASHA, ASHA members and consumers before private health plan policymakers, including managed care organizations and utilization management companies, to advocate for appropriate coverage and payment for audiology and speech-language pathology services.
5. Engages federal and state officials as a “Subject Matter Expert” as needed.
6. Identifies, develops, maintains, and leverages strategic relationships with relevant staff of external organizations, including private payers, coalitions, in accordance with relevant ASHA policies.
7. Collaborates on strategic communications, messaging, and grassroots materials that are designed to advance ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda.  Develops articles and other products for online and print communications.
8. Provides technical assistance to ASHA’s membership, consumers, and other interested parties as needed.

Qualifications
Knowledge Typically Acquired Through

• Advanced degree in public policy, economics, political science, or a related field.
• 6 years of experience in billing or payment policy in a health plan, association, corporation, or government; experience with audiology and speech-language pathology services is preferred.

Scope and Depth of Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Demonstrated ability in strategic policy analysis and development activities.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality and impactful analyses, issue briefs, letters, testimony, regulatory comments, model legislative language, and related products.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships with health care policymakers and allied stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of private health plan coverage determination and appeals processes.
• Working knowledge of health care policies that impact ASHA, especially private health plan coverage and payment issues.
• Working knowledge of communications sciences and disorders is desirable.

Scope and Depth of Non-Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Strong collaborative and facilitative leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, organize, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and a creative approach to work.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve consensus when opposing viewpoints are presented.