Behavioral Health Policy Analyst

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Behavioral Health Policy Analyst
Job Title: Program Specialist VII
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Medical&Dental Benefits Policy
Posting Number: 19925
Closing Date: 09/02/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $5,797.66- $9,508.25
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 10%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 701 W 51ST ST
Other Locations: Austin
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) department seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Behavioral Health Policy Analyst (PSVII).

MCS is driven by its mission to deliver quality, cost-effective services to Texans. This position makes a significant contribution to MCS’s mission by performing complex and technical analysis and consultation for the Medical and Dental Benefits Team in the Office of Policy.

This position reports to the Medical and Dental Benefits Policy Manager in the Medicaid and CHIP Services Office of Policy. The Behavioral Health Policy Analyst performs complex behavioral health policy analysis and consultation. The position leads the development, planning and implementation of behavioral health benefits for Texas Medicaid, including participating, and at times leading committees, work groups or activities as requested. The program specialist in this position must be proactive in seeking input from other staff in the Medicaid and CHIP Services Division and demonstrate the ability to work as an effective team member with other areas of the agency, and other HHS agencies. The Behavioral Health Policy Analyst researches and gathers relevant information from a variety of resources, including current research and literature related to recommended evidence-based therapeutic practice; synthesizes findings for a clinical and lay audience and applies findings to the behavioral health benefits in the Medicaid program; provides expert consultation to staff, other agencies, and external persons including legislators and managed care organizations on current behavioral health policies; stays abreast of current national therapeutic standards and requirements affecting Texas Medicaid behavioral health benefits.

The ideal candidate thrives in an environment that emphasizes: teamwork to achieve goals, excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, curiosity to continuously grow and learn, critical thinking for effective execution, and integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy.

Essential Job Functions

(30%) Develops policies/benefits - Reviews current benefits and develops new benefits for the MDBP Team. Identifies eligibility standards and authorization requirements for policies. Collaborates, as needed, with HHSC staff in other programs and other State agencies in development, planning, and implementation. Develops, reviews, and provides comments on Medicaid materials intended for use by vendors, providers, managed care organizations, and other partners.

(25%) Clinical Research - Researches, analyzes, and synthesizes peer reviewed literature and evidence-based practices and applies it to program medical benefit policy. Provides complex technical medical information verbally or in writing to nonclinical audiences. Consults with stakeholders to address Medicaid program benefit policy issues.

(25%) Special Projects and Workgroups - Leads or participates in workgroups, special projects, and public meetings regarding research, analysis, and evaluation of policy issues or initiatives. Positively represents department, agency, and State in conferences and meetings, including public presentation delivery, and, as an ongoing representative on various committees and teams, as directed. Prepares project updates, summaries, reports, or other documents and keeps management informed on pertinent issues. Functions as a resource to other State staff providing guidance, advice, or direction. Responds to internal and external communications and requests for information in a timely manner. Communicates and consults with external stakeholders, as necessary.

(15%) Quality Assurance - Participates in quality assurance activities through: Development and review of program behavioral health benefits, including reviewing documentation, document tracking research, policy development, and reviewing discussions and draft program benefit policy changes. Researching provider or manufacturer questions or concerns. Assists in the review and referral of complaints concerning medical and other providers and services.

(5%) Regulation review - Reviews, analyzes, and comments on regulations affecting program benefit policy. Other duties, as assigned, include but are not limited to actively participating in or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Current license in a behavioral health profession, including but not limited to LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or LCDC.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Utilization management principles;
• Health and human service programs;
• The principles of clinical behavioral health evaluation and treatment and their application to the treatment of individuals in the Medicaid population; and
• Behavioral health quality assessment, assurance, or improvement

Skill in:

• Conducting comprehensive literature reviews using PubMed/Medline, Hayes, or other electronic databases, and synthesizing findings for clinical and lay audiences;
• Navigating computer software, including Microsoft Office suite;
• Managing several projects concurrently with a keen attention to detail and ability to find creative solutions to problems;
• Project planning, evaluation, and implementation;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, and other staff or program stakeholders; and
• Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication and presentation skills.

Ability to:

• Work well with staff, foster the team process, and assume accountability for assigned projects;
• Facilitate internal workgroups and provide guidance to peers;
• Work independently and function effectively as a member of a team under tight deadlines with a high volume workload;

• Facilitate meetings;
• Write and implement policies, standards, and procedures;

• Work collaboratively across MCS to accomplish objectives; and
• Balance team and individual responsibilities
  
  

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Experience in Policy analysis or evaluation of behavioral health benefits.
• At least one year experience in
  • Behavioral health treatment settings,
  • Working with the multiple county and state agencies associated with outpatient behavioral health contracts, or
  • Behavioral healthcare policy analysis.
• Excellent written communications as observed by detail and completeness of information provided on the state application.

Preferred:

• A background in human services policy and/or benefit development.
• Medicaid/CHIP policy experience.
• Past work experience with billing and coding manuals such as International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).

Additional Information

N/A

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans :

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at View phone number on aiapply.co. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.